GK-12 PROJECT GOAL

National Science Foundation

To develop partnerships between schools and universities with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) graduate students and upper-level undergraduates working with teacher colleagues to improve STEM education at the K-12 level.

The University Of Texas at Austin

To promote the academic and professional development of K-12 and University level participants by building long-term partnerships between K-12 school districts and University of Texas at Austin researchers in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM).

GK-12 Assessment Objectives

K-12 PARTICIPANTS

Student - Academic Development

Objective 1 - Increase K-12 students' critical thinking skills using STEM disciplines.

Objective 2 - Increase K-12 students' academic skills in STEM disciplines through working with graduate Fellows.

Student - Professional Development

Objective 3 - Increase K-12 students' interest in (appreciation for) STEM disciplines through increased awareness of professional opportunities and exposure to scientists.

Teacher - Professional Development

Objective 4 - Expand K-12 teachers' understanding of the STEM disciplines through participation in workshops and partnerships with Fellows.

Objective 5 - Improve K-12 instructors' teaching skills in STEM disciplines through development of 5E lesson plans and presentations at workshops or conferences.

Objective 6 - Strengthen the partnership between K-12 education and STEM researchers through mentorship of Fellows in the classroom, development of inquiry-based (5E) lesson plans and activities, and joint presentation at meetings or conferences.

School District

Objective 7 - Strengthen the partnership between K-12 education and SMET researchers through open communication with interested faculty at neighboring institutions.

Objective 8 - Sustain GK-12 like activities in K-12 education by facilitating ability of Fellows and scientists to enter classrooms.

UNIVERSITY PARTICIPANTS

Fellow - Professional Development

Objective 1 - Improve the Fellows' communication skills through class presentations, workshops, and seminar presentations.

Objective 2 - Improve the Fellows' teaching skills through improved management techniques and familiarity with Texas and national science standards (TEKS and NSES).

Objective 3 - Fellows should strengthen the partnership between STEM researchers and K-12 educators through inquiry-based learning activities, as science role models, and as a resource of scientific knowledge.

Fellow - Academic Development

Objective 4 - Strengthen the Fellows' knowledge and understanding of STEM disciplines through lesson development and classroom teaching.

The University of Texas at Austin

Objective 5 - Strengthen the partnership between STEM researchers and K-12 education through involvement of faculty in classroom activities, as resources for Fellows, and interaction with K-12 teachers and students.

Objective 6 - Disseminate information about the effectiveness of the GK-12 Project through scientific presentations by University faculty in K-12 classrooms.

Objective 7 - Sustain GK-12-like activities as a permanent part of the University's graduate and advanced undergraduate program/opportunities through development of new courses in science departments specifically for teachers, outreach seminars, and regularly sponsored field activities.

Expectations of GK-12 teachers and Fellows:

• Minimum average of 15 hours/week (65 hours/month) dedicated to activities with K-12 students and teachers (about two-thirds of this time spent in classrooms).
• Understand and appreciate the goals and objectives of this program.
  
• Work with K-12 teachers in your classroom to develop activities related to subject areas in your teaching discipline.
• Hold weekly 30-minute conferences with your K-12 teacher to exchange ideas and plan future lesson activities based on your written classroom/subject syllabus.
  
• Provide written feedback on a weekly basis on jointly prepared and delivered Fellow-teacher lessons for classroom or field trip activities.
  
• Use constructive verbal and written feedback from teachers, university faculty, and other professionals to improve classroom instruction, management techniques, and teaching effectiveness.
  
• Attend an orientation and GK-12 workshop that is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, 28 August 2005.
  
• Develop an after school program with other GK-12 teachers and Fellows in your school that features GK-12 classroom activities to parents.
  
• Participate in workshops during the academic school year that are focused on special public lectures delivered by visiting scientists as part of the Schweppe Lecture Series (UTMSI), the Outreach Lecture Series (ESI), or Cataclysms and Catastrophes (UTIG) as directed by the component PI.
  
• Participate in monthly after-school workshops for planning of activities, communication with PI's, and exchange of ideas and experiences.
  
• Create or significantly modify four learning activities and produce written lesson plansassociated with each using the 5E model that is aligned with TEKS and TAKS.
  
• Participate in the 2005 GK-12 colloquium in early June at UTMSI in Port Aransas.
  
• Deliver joint presentations with your K-12 teacher at conferences, workshops or symposia on your GK-12 related activities and experiences (travel expenses are provided for such activities).
  
• Present GK-12 information to at least one group of colleagues and professionals.
  

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This page last updated February 16, 2006