MATH & SCIENCE PARTNERSHIP GRANT GOALS AND ACTIVITIES

Grant activities will be used to provide professional development opportunities for math and science teachers. Specifically, grant funds will be used to:  Increase the number of students enrolling in upper level math and science courses; In the first workshop for math and science teachers, teachers will tally the numbers of students enrolled in each math and science course offered by their districts; participants will review strategies for increasing these numbers, and each district will set a goal for increasing the number of eligible students enrolling in upper level math and science courses. Assist math and science teachers in grades 6-12 in the implementation of scientifically based methods in the teaching of math and science; Participants will review a variety of hands-on approaches for the teaching of math and science in grades 6-12; the primary focus will be on constructivist methodologies and research based teaching consistent with the No Child Left Behind criteria for high quality teaching. In addition, participants will investigate brain development and learning theory. Provide an opportunity for math and science teachers in grades 6-12 to become familiar with distance learning technology in the teaching of math and science; Two workshops each year will familiarize math and science teachers with distance learning technology; participants will have an opportunity to build their technology skills to the level of mastery necessary for providing high-quality instruction via distance.   Improve student achievement in math and science in grades 6-12. Participants will investigate standardized testing results in their districts and will be encouraged to use test data to evaluate their curriculum and instructional strategies. In addition, participants will learn how to design action research studies that they can conduct in their own classrooms. It is anticipated that providing teachers with the skills necessary to conduct their own research studies will have a positive influence on their students’ achievement.