MITSMuseum Institute for Teaching Science

Minds-on, Hands-on, Inquiry-based STEM Education

to improve the teaching of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in elementary and secondary schools (K-12) through inquiry-based, hands-on methods for teaching, and collaboration with informal science institutions to raise student interest and literacy in science.

MITS firmly believes, “Students learn about science,

mathematics and technology first and foremost through

interactions with teachers. Changing the nature of those

interactions is the surest way to improve education in these

subjects in the United States.” (Rising Above the Gathering

Storm)

.

• Summer Institutes

• Science is Elementary

• Professional Development Seminars

MITS Programs

 Summer Institutes

• engage teachers in an exciting professional development experience • increase use of inquiry-based, minds on hands on pedagogy to teach STEM activities in their classroom.

Summer Institutes

• Two- week professional development for teachers• Offered throughout Massachusetts• Content and methodology• PDPs and Graduate Credit• Hands-on, minds-on, inquiry based investigations • Activities aligned with Massachusetts Frameworks• Learn about regional resources• 4-7 Collaborating museums/educational institutions• Call Backs

Offered in 7 regions:

• Berkshires

• Boston

• Cape Cod

• Merrimack River

• North Shore

• Southeast

• Worcester

 Summer Institutes are hosted by 4-6 museums, nature centers, science education organizations, art museums in each region.

•10 Inquiry-Based, Hands-On, Minds-On Activities •Content Information•Resources – Videos, Curriculum Guides, Web Sites•Classroom Extensions

Each Volume expands on the previous Summer Institute’s topic - 4 Issues per year

Science is Elementary

•for staff at collaborating

museum and educational

institutes

• on topics that enhance their

teaching and update them on

educational reform.

•help ensure high quality

instruction in the summer

institutes.

Professional Development Seminars

MITS Inquiry Learning Model

Theoretical Basis

Comparison of Inquiry Teaching Approaches

Synthesized from:“Inquiry Descriptions: Directed; Guided/Bounded; Open,” by Lead Educators, 2008.“Types/Levels of Science Activities,” Kathleen Neville’s Professional Development Seminar Presentation, February, 2009.

“Structuring the Level of Inquiry in Your Classroom,” Michael E. Fay and Stacey Lowery Bretz, The Science Teacher, Summer, 2008.

Problem/Question

(Based on Conceptual Understanding)

Procedure/Methods

(Engagement with Phenomena)

Solution/Explanation/Evaluation

(Evidence-based Explanations)

Demonstration Provided to student Provided to student Provided to student

Directed Provided to student Provided to student Constructed by student

Guided Provided to student Constructed by student Constructed by student

Open Constructed by student Constructed by student Constructed by student