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