Science Workshops for Elementary Teachers: A Partnership

该项目是阿肯色亨德森州立大学、中美洲博物馆和阿肯色电力照明公司之间合作关系的延续和扩展。通过私人资金，该伙伴关系开发了许多不同的面向主题的科学工具包，这些工具包与该州的课程框架相适应。该项目将于1990年夏季进行，利用亨德森州立大学的实验室和教室设施以及博物馆的互动式展品，为来自覆盖整个阿肯色州的16个教育合作社中的每一个合作社的两名高级教师提供为期两周的讲习班。首席教师将使用这些工具包，这些工具包将进一步增强和改编现有的基于活动的材料。在项目工作人员的监督和指导下，参与者将在当地教育合作社的合作下在当地举办在职讲习班。这些国家管理的合作社将促进其区域内学校的在职工作。需求评估和实地经验表明需要这种在职培训。目前的目标是建立一支准备充分的小学科学教师队伍，但长远的目标是提高大批小学教师的技能，并为其他大学-博物馆-工业伙伴关系提供榜样。由于该项目的综合性质，由于这项拨款的结果，在以活动为基础的基础科学计划的方向上改变的潜力是深远的。博物馆提供了它的设施、专业知识和实际的工具包开发，而电力公司则提供了讲习班所有材料的费用，这些材料随后将退还给学校。由三个合作伙伴分摊的总费用相当于NSF拨款请求的28%。

This project is a continuation and extension of a partnership which has developed between Henderson State University of Arkansas, the Mid-American Museum and Arkansas Power and Light Company. The partnership has developed, through private funding, a number of different topically oriented science kits which fit appropriately with the curriculum framework of the state. The project will be conducted during the summer of 1990 using laboratory and classroom facilities of Henderson State University and the interactive exhibits of the museum to provide a two-week workshop for two master teachers from each of the sixteen educational cooperatives which cover the whole state of Arkansas. The lead teachers will be using these kits which will be further enhanced and adapted from the existing activity based materials. The participants under the supervision and guidance of the project staff will conduct in- service workshops in their local areas with the cooperation of their local education cooperative. These state-administered cooperatives will facilitate the inservice efforts in the schools within their regions. Needs assessment and field experience has demonstrated the need for this inservice training. The immediate goal is to established a cadre of well-prepared elementary science teachers, but the long range goal is to upgrade the skills of large number of elementary teachers and to provide a model for other university-museum- industry partnerships. Because of the comprehensive nature of the project, the potential for change in the direction of an activity-based elementary science program, as a result of this grant, is far-reaching. The Museum is contributing it facilities, expertise and the actual kit development, while the Power Company is contributing the cost of all the materials for the workshop which will then be returned to the schools. The total cost-sharing by three partners is equivalent to 28% of the NSF grant request.