The Environmental Institute of Houston/University of Houston-Clear Lake/ (EIH/UHCL) has received funding to offer professional development for science teachers. As a member of the Texas Regional Collaborative for Math and Science, EIH/UHCL will select 25 science educators to receive professional development and become a science teacher mentor (STM). 

The grant proposes professional development hours for science teachers K-12.  The following is the anticipated breakdown for the EIH/UHCL Science Collaborative for 2008-09 – eight (8) elementary teachers, nine (9) middle school teachers, and eight (8) high school teachers.  Those receiving the 105 professional development hours, Science Teacher Mentors, and most of the Cadre Members, receiving at least 12 hours of professional development, will represent local school districts. Additional teachers may attend as cadre members and may attend as many hours as they require or want to attend.

Description of Major Activities

The EIH/UHCL collaborative proposes to conduct over 325 hours of professional development. This will include hours focusing on Chemistry (61 hours), Geosciences including Earth and Space Science (135 hours), Physics/Physical Science (24 hours), Life/Environmental Science (52 hours), Pedagogy (39 hours) and 18 hours of other content such as invasive species and air quality. There will be approximately 155 hours offered for secondary teachers; 239 hours offered for middle school teachers; and 111 hours offered to K - 3 teachers.  There is some overlap between the grades. 

Required Hours:

• 15 hours in Geoscience for grades K – 6 STMS
• 12 hours of Chemistry for the elementary/middle school STMS
• 40 hours of Chemistry and 12 hours of Geoscience will be required of the secondary STMS.

This year, cadre members will be encouraged to attend the required professional development workshops and each will receive materials/supplies.

There are three summer institutes:  Earth Science and Energy (conducted twice in the summer) will target the upper elementary and middle school teacher and one in the area of Chemistry targeting the secondary teacher.

Other than the required hours in Chemistry and Geoscience, the EIH/UHCL Collaborative workshops will include curricula from GEMS, Project WILD, Project Learning Tree, Project WET, Air-O-Dynamic, Lab Aids, and NSTA.  For high school educators, Envirothon training will be offered once again along with Project Learning Tree’s Focusing on RISK.  New workshops being offered this year include Physics, curriculum topic study, Geology of Texas, and Healthy Water, Healthy People.

EIH continues to emphasize the importance of environmental/science education and the interdisciplinary approach to teaching/learning using the WaterSmart School Habitat Demonstration Lab and Pollinators’ Garden.  Workshops focusing on WaterSmart Gardening, Cylinder Gardening, and developing school habitats with the TEKS in mind and others will be offered once again.

Additional science content training utilizing faculty from area colleges of natural sciences as per the needs of teachers will be added once the STMs are selected and a needs assessment is conducted.  A detailed description for each of the proposed professional development activities can be found in the back of this document along with the registration form.

In summary, below is a listing of the expectations for science teacher mentor participation:

1. Attend evening meetings at UHCL, 3 hours in length
2. Attend a minimum of 105 contact hours of professional development between October 2008 and July 2009
   NOTE:  Professional development includes monthly meetings, workshops and summer institutes.  The evening meeting dates and the list of workshops being offered is attached along with required workshops for specific grades.
3. Assist with the recruitment of additional cadre members (CMS)
4. Mentor cadre members at your school or in your district when appropriate.

Expectations for the school/school district are:

1. Release time, if necessary, to attend monthly meetings
2. Opportunity for STMS to share information with co-workers and other science teachers in their buildings
3. Mentor UHCL science methods candidates when appropriate and/or possible

Qualifications to become a science teacher mentor:

1. A minimum of 3 years of teaching experience or a minimum of two (2) years of teaching experience with a recommendation from your science department head or district science curriculum coordinator
2. Currently teaching science
3. Considered a leader
4. Willingness to share experience and knowledge with others (mentor CMS)
5. Two letters of professional reference (colleagues, science coordinator, principal, etc.)

STM Participants will receive:

1. 105 hours total of professional development in both content and pedagogy
2. Resources, equipment, and materials to be used at your school.  (It is expected that the materials/equipment will be shared with others at your school, when appropriate, and will remain with you as long as you teach science.  Upon your retirement, equipment/materials will either remain at the school or be returned to the EIH/UHCL collaborative.)
3. $1000 stipend
4. Travel funds, when appropriate

EIH/UHCL will provide:

1. Professional development opportunities
2. $1000 STM Stipend upon completion of the 105 hours of required professional development

2008-09 Deadline: October 13, 2008

Any questions about the Collaborative should be directed to Dr. Brenda Weiser, Director of Environmental Education, EIH.