A Community of Problem Solvers: Teachers Leading Problem-Based Learning in Southern Illinois

南伊利诺伊大学卡本代尔分校（SIUC）与肖尼社区学院（SCC）、卡本代尔男孩女孩俱乐部（Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale）以及该地区超过12个高需求学区合作，正在指导和准备20名教学硕士研究员（mtf），以改变合作学校的科学和数学教学。通过课程、领导活动、研究经验和参与培训职前和在职科学教师，mtf正在建立一个可持续的问题解决者社区。mtf由SIUC和SCC STEM教师和教育工作者指导，共同努力加强教师和学生的探究式科学体验。作为教育改革的主要推动者，mtf正在获得科学和数学内容、探究式学习方法、教学干预和行动研究技能方面的深厚基础。他们正在发展领导技能，为本区域在职教师和职前教师设计和实施专业发展活动。SCC是这一合作伙伴关系的关键环节，因为SCC的大多数学生都就读于合作学区，并转学到SIUC完成本科学位。MTFs与研究人员和IGERT研究员合作，在Cache河自然区域进行科学研究，并为SCC的资源中心开发基于问题的学习（PBL）练习和材料。利用课程管理系统建立虚拟社区，传播资源，促进团队交流。这种以社区为基础的方法导致了以探究为基础的教学，特别是以问题为基础的学习，并在这个教育的关键时刻提高了学生在科学和数学方面的表现。mtf进行有指导的真实研究，然后他们将其转化为他们的教室和卡本代尔男孩女孩俱乐部的PBL练习，并传播给其他教师。IGERT研究员指导中期基金并指导他们实施课堂活动。其他的在职和职前教师与他们的学生一起参与类似的项目，或者通过暑期研究经历。重点是一个广泛研究和有吸引力的自然区域，旨在吸引教师，学生和他们的家庭进入“后院”或社区科学项目。mtf项目的其他专业发展组成部分包括丰富科学、领导力和科学教学法课程，mtf将在现有课程中协助SCC和SIUC教师教学的研讨会和讲座，诱导新教师，开发PBL资源中心，共享网站维护，以及国家委员会认证，以改变教师在学校的领导力。

Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), in partnership with Shawnee Community College (SCC), Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale, and over 12 high-need school districts in the region, is mentoring and preparing 20 Master Teaching Fellows (MTFs) to transform science and math teaching in the partner schools. Through courses, leadership activities, research experiences and involvement with training pre- and in-service science teachers, MTFs are establishing a sustainable community of problem-solvers. MTFs are mentored by SIUC and SCC STEM faculty and educators in a synergistic endeavor to strengthen inquiry-based science experiences for teachers and students. As the principal agents for educational reform, MTFs are acquiring a deep grounding in science and mathematics content, inquiry-based learning methods, instructional interventions, and Action Research skills. They are developing leadership skills in designing and implementing professional development activities for their fellow in-service teachers in the region and for pre-service teachers. SCC is a key link in this partnership as most students at SCC attended the partner school districts and transferred to SIUC to complete their undergraduate degrees. Collaborating with researchers and IGERT fellows, MTFs conduct scientific research at the Cache River Natural Area and develop Problem-Based Learning (PBL) exercises and materials for a Resource Center housed at SCC. A virtual community is also being established using a course management system to disseminate resources and promote team communication. This community-based approach leads to inquiry-based instruction, especially problem-based learning, in the middle grades and improved student performance in science and mathematics at this critical juncture in education. MTFs conduct mentored authentic research, which they then translate to PBL exercises for their classrooms and the Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale, and disseminate to other teachers. IGERT Fellows mentor the MTFs and guide them in implementation of classroom activities. Additional pre- and in-service teachers are engaging in similar projects with their students or through a summer research experience. The focus on a widely studied and attractive natural area is designed to draw teachers, students and their families into "backyard" or community science projects. Additional professional development components of the program for MTFs include enriching science, leadership and science pedagogy courses, workshops and lectures in existing courses that MTFs will assist SCC and SIUC faculty in teaching, induction of novice teachers, development of a PBL Resource Center, shared maintenance of the web site, and National Board Certification to transform teacher leadership in their schools.