Action Plan PresentationMay 13, 2005

Intel ISEF Educator Academy

Massachusetts, Region II

United States of America

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Introductions• William Rigney (team leader): Science Director grades

6-12, Marlborough Public School System and secretary of Worcester Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

• Nancy Degon: Chemistry teacher at Auburn High School and Worcester Regional Science and Engineering Fair Chair

• Lisa Greenwald: Grade 7 Life Science teacher at Sarah W. Gibbons Middle School and member of the Worcester Regional Science and Engineering Fair Committee

• Valerie Lechtanski: Chemistry teacher at Hopkinton High School and Worcester Regional Science and Engineering Fair Vice-Chair

• Fredericka Solomon: Grades 7 and 8 Integrated Science Teacher and member of the Worcester Regional Science and Engineering Fair Committee

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Goal

Increase the number of students involved in project based research in schools ultimately leading to more science fair participation.

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ObjectivesMeasures of Success

• Increase the number of teachers trained to implement project based inquiry in the classroom

• Increase the number of students involved in project based research in schools

• Increase the number of students/schools

participating in science fair competitions

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Action Plan

Action Measure success? Who’s Responsible?

By when?

Develop and offer summer institute to middle and high school teachers providing strategies for the implementation of student research projects

Participants evaluate and provide feedback on efficacy and relevance of the institute

Facilitators of the summer institute (2005 Educator Academy Group)

Summer 2005

Establish a mentor program to assist teachers in implementing project based learning

Number of teachers participating in the mentor program and a follow-up survey evaluating their mentor experience

Facilitators of the summer institute and other veteran teachers who have experience in project based learning

Spring 2006

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Follow up sessions for summer institute participants during the school year for ongoing support for student research projects

Number of teachers participating in the follow-up program

Facilitators of the summer institute

Winter 2006

Develop materials to support the establishment of middle and high school science and engineering fairs

Increase numbers of schools offering science and engineering fairs and sending entries to the regional/state fairs

Facilitators of the summer institute and members of WRSEF

Spring 2007

Action Measure success? Who’s Responsible?

By when?

Action Plan (cont.)

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Action Plan Implementation Obstacles:

• Identifying teachers interested in attending institute• Resources of individual schools may limit full

implementation of project based research and initiating science fairs

• Finding mentors for teachers may become an issue depending on number of requests

• District initiatives and administrative goals may conflict with full implementation of inquiry based learning and/or science fairs

Action Plan

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What is needed to overcome obstacles?• District commitment to support project based

learning and science fairs• Support from building administrators of

participating schools• Funding and support through local business

partnerships, grants, UMASS Medical School-Science Resource Center

• Continued support from Intel• Financial• Mentors• Judges

Action Plan

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Action Plan

Next Step

Finalize plans and implement Summer Institute

Blueprints for Science

July 5-8, 2005Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science,

Worcester

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Intel ISEF Educator AcademyReflection

• Multiple perspectives of how to approach project based learning

• Value of mentorship for both teachers and students• Need for professional development for teachers• Ways to improve, organize, and involve community in

science fairs Doing Well

• Firmly established middle and high school regional fairs

• Strong financial support at regional level• Own Safety Review Committee• Large number of judges

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Team Members

All Grown Up