Teaching Opportunities for Teaching Opportunities for Partners in SciencePartners in Science

Sustainable program for K-12 science education improvement since 1993 in northern California

Partners retired scientists, engineers with elementary schools

Who are the Partners?Who are the Partners?

A True PartnershipA True Partnership

Partners concept is important

– Scientist/Engineer– Lead teacher at school site– Classroom teachers

No prescribed curriculum. Enhancement, not replacement.

Lessons aligned to standards and state adopted materials for grade level and school.

Hands-on labs reinforce classroom study

What is taught?What is taught?

Making a MotorMaking a Motor

What do Partners do?What do Partners do? Volunteer at one school for 6-8 hours per

month over course of one school year Develop and deliver lessons with input and

assistance of teacher. (e.g., properties of magnets/electricity)

Set up labs (students explore/discover properties)

Use scientific language and methods Model and provide info on science careers Offer family event for parents/students

Parents get involved at family eventParents get involved at family event

Fathers especially enjoy Fathers especially enjoy eventevent

““I have two comments and a question”I have two comments and a question” (4 (4thth grade) grade)

Teacher Impact Teacher Impact

Promotes teaching of MORE and BETTER science

Teacher has "science mentor“ for content ???’s Offers assistance in getting and setting up

equipment Enhances--doesn’t replace--professional

development

TOPS teaches students and teachers!

Teacher EnthusiasmTeacher Enthusiasm

A Well Established History of SuccessA Well Established History of Success

14 years of successful operationOperating in 5 counties in northern

CaliforniaCurrently in 35 elementary schoolsApproximately 67,000 hours of

student/scientist contact per year

Program CostsProgram Costs

Annual cost per school $1400Plus administrative costs for

sponsoring district/agencyCost per school includes training for

Partners and Lead Teachers Includes library of check out materials.

Why is TOPS so Successful?Why is TOPS so Successful?

Teaching, not entertainmentDepth---one year assignment

– Know the students– Teach to students level

Ongoing Training for Partner and Lead Teacher

Lead Teacher at school site and ongoing support from both Scientists and Educators

Training is IntegralTraining is Integral

Discovering DensityDiscovering Density

Learning about Learning about Series and Series and Parallel circuitsParallel circuits

Benefits of TOPSBenefits of TOPS Retirees are largely an untapped resource Teachers learn science Improved science learning for students with

increased interest.

ResultsResults

Partner enthusiasm

Partner enthusiasm

ResultsResults

More science taught in elementary schools

Teacher engagement in science learningStudents look forward to scientist visitsScience becomes interesting and funStudents can imagine being scientists

Enthusiasm!Enthusiasm!

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Survey Results From 13 Lead Survey Results From 13 Lead TeachersTeachers

Scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree

Beneficial for required assessments? 4.54

Want scientist/engineer in my classroom? 4.85

Survey CommentsSurvey Comments

Sometimes science is a “hook” to get kids interested in school and lessons .

….she will be doing three hands on activities: making anemometers and barometers, a molecule model, and the human body. All directly tied to standards

…able to introduce students to areas of science and hands on lessons that a classroom teacher might not have access to

TOPScience TOPScience Program Program Summary:Summary:

Students are Students are helped to……helped to……

More information available More information available upon requestupon request

Teaching

Opportunities for

Partners in

Science

Judi Wilson jwilson@sjcoe.netConnie Oliver coliver@sjcoe.net

ChemistryChemistry

StarlabStarlab

Starting YoungStarting Young

Discovering StaticDiscovering Static

Science FairScience Fair