Science Teacher Field Institute 2006 participants, from left:
Mark Hammergren, Gabrielle Lyon, Yolanda Rodriguez, Paul Sereno,
Annette Vanderwall, Matt Knoepke, Marilyn Havlik, Sharena Summage (seated).
Photo G. Lyon

Thanks to generous support from the Pearson Education Foundation in recognition of acclaimed science educator and writer Neil Campbell and a matching grant from The Boeing Company, Project Exploration has launched a new teacher professional development arm of our work.

Building upon our success at providing personalized access to science and scientists, and modeled on our high-impact Junior Paleontologist Program, the Science Teacher Field Institute offers a unique, authentic experience with science alongside scientists.

This initiative, designed to promote leadership and excellent science education, responds to critical Chicago Public School needs. Our vision is to build a cadre of teachers in the Chicago Public School system that become master teachers and are able to model and share what excellent science teaching and learning looks like.

The institute begins each summer with teachers participating in a three-week science immersion experience. During the first week, teachers are engaged in an integrated science curriculum that covers biology, geology, paleontology, earth science, and astronomy through inquiry-based learning and a nature of science approach. The curriculum, developed with state and national standards in mind, improves the teachers’ content knowledge in science; engages them in understanding the nature of science; models research-based best practices for inquiry-based science in the classroom; prepares them for their upcoming fieldwork; and equips them to continue their professional development and learning when they return to the classroom.

During the second week of the Institute, the teachers travel to the badlands of eastern Montana to conduct fieldwork in geology, paleontology, and astronomy. While out in the field, the teachers learn about “big ideas in science” such as data collection and analysis, mapping, superimposition, and form and function; create their own fossil and rock collections to support classroom instruction back home; and collect digital collateral materials (photos and video footage) to support their digital portfolios.

Robin Heyden and Paul Sereno at a dig site in Montana during the Science Teacher Field Institute. Photo G. Lyon

During the third week, the teachers return to Chicago to create their digital portfolios—images and video clips of their summer experiences and curriculum materials—and to evaluate their summer experiences. The teachers will be trained to use digital arts software to produce their own mini-films and slide presentations to support their classroom instruction. Lastly, the teachers develop a classroom lesson to use and share with other teachers.

Science Teacher Field Institute participants at a Triceratops dig site. Photo. G Lyon Once the summer immersive experience comes to a close, the teachers receive ongoing support and training to develop their leadership in science education. They are able to participate in four trainings or workshops that will support skill development and their capacity to create inquiry-based classrooms. The year-round seminars will cover content development and delivery, teaching the nature of science, creating an inquiry-based classroom, and what it means to be a leader in science education. The teachers will be supported so that they can share their skills, talents, and experiences within their schools, districts, and at local and national professional conferences. During the second year of the program, teachers will be able to further support their classroom curriculum by either bringing scientists into their classrooms or bringing their classes to science field trips facilitated by Project Exploration.   More on the Science Teacher Field Institute Download the 2009 Science Teacher Field Institute Application forms. Watch the Science Teacher Field Institute Video. View snapshots from the Science Teacher Field Institute. Read a blog about the Science Teacher Field Institute. Science Teacher Field Institute in the News Read the Pearson Education press release. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)