QUEST

An inquiry-based summer institute in science and mathematics for K-12 teachers

July 7-18, 2008

8:30 am - 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday

QUEST sessions will be held at the Princeton University campus

CONNECT-ED sessions will be held at the Rider University campus

Registration for the summer institute is now closed. 

Grade K-8 teachers, click here to access the QUEST & CONNECT-ED at QUEST brochure

Grade 9-12 teachers, click her to access the CONNECT-ED at QUEST brochure

QUEST is an institute for elementary and middle school teachers taught by Princeton University faculty and staff and scientists from neighboring institutions. CONNECT-ED is offered to k-12 teachers and is taught by teachers, administrators and content experts. Both are designed to enhance teachers' knowledge of science and mathematics through hands-on laboratory experiments and field experiences and to acquaint them with specific ideas and activities to use in their classrooms.

QUEST and CONNECT-ED engage teachers in doing science and math. Participants perform experiments, as well as discuss pedagogy and the underlying content with colleagues and the faculty.  Educators develop skills for teaching inquiry-based science and math. They work in small, informal groups and establish close ties to their colleagues and to the faculty.

Districts are asked to budget $1300 per teacher, for the two week summer institute comprised of an $800 stipend given to the teacher at the completion of the summer institute in July and $500 for program expenses.

QUEST continues during the school year with a program of follow-up workshops that provide teachers with opportunities to learn additional content and to network with fellow teachers. Teachers who attend QUEST are expected to also attend the Lemonick Symposium the following spring to share lessons with their colleagues.

The application deadline has been extended to May 12, 2008.

Contact Anne Catena, acatena@princeton.edu@princeton.edu, for more information.

Summer 2008 - Session Descriptions

The following sessions are offered July 2008:

For grade K-3 Teachers

During the week of July 7-11, 2008 (one of the following)

CONNECT-ED Earth Science [Accepting applications for wait list only]

Lessons on the structure, dynamics and geophysical systems of the Earth will be presented by teams of elementary, middle and high school teachers. Laurel Goodell, Geosciences, Princeton University will facilitate the week's discussions. (This session will take place at Rider University.)

The intent of CONNECT-ED is to examine how the students' understanding and knowledge build throughout elementary, middle and high school in addition to learning content and inquiry-based pedagogy. This program is created for teachers from K-12 grade levels. We encourage elementary, middle and high school teachers to register for CONNECT-ED. This program is a partnership of 15 districts and private schools, Princeton and Rider Universities, Bristol-Myers Squibb and industry.

Science, Math & Literature: The 'Write' Triangle [Accepting applications for wait list only]

Experiment with geometry and its place in our world. This program focuses on integrating science, math, language arts and technology. There will be some duplication from this session offered at QUEST 2006 and 2007. Professor Henry Horn, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University and Pete Brandt, Princeton Day School will facilitate the week's discussions.

During the week of July 14-18, 2008 (one of the following)

CONNECT-ED - Life Science [Accepting applications for wait list only]

Lessons will be presented on natural selection, inherited characteristics and cells & organs.  The Lead Scientists is to be determined. (This session will take place at Rider University.)

The intent of CONNECT-ED is to examine how the students' understanding and knowledge build throughout elementary, middle and high school in addition to learning content and inquiry-based pedagogy. This program is created for teachers from K-12 grade levels. We encourage elementary, middle and high school teachers to register for CONNECT-ED. This program is a partnership of 15 districts and private schools, Princeton and Rider Universities, Bristol-Myers Squibb and industry.

Exploring Patterns [Accepting applications for wait list only]

Identifying and describing patterns comprise the essential core of mathematical thinking.  We will explore patterns in nature, in numbers, in geometry, in graphical representations, in conceptual and organizational structures, and in the connections among these perspectives. There will be some duplication from the session offered at QUEST 2007.  With Shelly Berman, Rowan University.

Click here to access the grade K-3 teacher application

For grade 4-5 Teachers

Teachers of Grades 4-5 must attend one session each week from the following choices:

During the week of July 7-11, 2008 (one of the following)

CONNECT-ED - Earth Science [Accepting applications for wait list only]

Lessons on the structure, dynamics and geophysical systems of the Earth will be presented by teams of elementary, middle and high school teachers.  Laurel Goodell, Geosciences, Princeton University will facilitate the week’s discussions. (This session will take place at Rider University.)

The intent of CONNECT-ED is to examine how the students' understanding and knowledge build throughout elementary, middle and high school in addition to learning content and inquiry-based pedagogy. This program is created for teachers from K-12 grade levels. We encourage elementary, middle and high school teachers to register for CONNECT-ED. This program is a partnership of 15 districts and private schools, Princeton and Rider Universities, Bristol-Myers Squibb and industry.

Science, Math & Literature: The 'Write' Triangle [Accepting applications for wait list only]

Experiment with geometry and its place in our world. This program focuses on intergrating science, math, language arts and technology. There will be some duplication from this session offered at QUEST 2006 and 2007. Professor Henry Horn, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, and Pete Brandt, Princeton Day School, will facilitate the week's discussions.

Our Place in Space: Make a Model of your Universe [Accepting applications for wait list only]

What is your model of the Universe?  Join NASA scientists and educators in a week of research-based classroom-ready materials to understand the structure and evolution of our Universe.  We will uncover student misconceptions about the Universe and explore straegies to construct models closer to the current scientific understanding.  We will investigate The Universe's size, scale, structure and how it has changed over time as well as how human understanding of the Universe has grown.  Teachers will receive copies of a multimedia-rich DVD, Beyond the Solar System from NASA's Universe Forum. With Prof. Devid Spergel, Astrophysics, Princeton University and Dr. Joanna Dunkley, Astrophysics, Princeton University & Oxford University, and Lindsay Bartolone, ’99 Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum.

Life and Chemistry in the Ocean

This unit will focus on the role of single-celled organisms, which are the dominant forms of life in the ocean. We will examine how these microscopic organisms, dissolved chemicals, and ocean currents interact to regulate the fertility of the sea and variability of seawater chemistry. The unit will include lecture, laboratory activities, local field work and use of satellite observations.
Prof. Michael Bender and Danielle Schmitt, Geosciences, Princeton University and Dr. Steven Carson, John Witherspoon MS and formerly of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory will facilitate the week’s discussions.

During the week of July 14-18, 2008 (one of the following)

CONNECT-ED - Life Science [Accepting applications for wait list only]

Lessons will be presented on natural selection, inherited characteristics and cells & organs.  The Lead Scientists is to be determined. (This session will take place at Rider University.)

The intent of CONNECT-ED is to examine how the students' understanding and knowledge build throughout elementary, middle and high school in addition to learning content and inquiry-based pedagogy. This program is created for teachers from K-12 grade levels. We encourage elementary, middle and high school teachers to register for CONNECT-ED. This program is a partnership of 15 districts and private schools, Princeton and Rider Universities, Bristol-Myers Squibb and industry.

Exploring Patterns [Accepting applications for wait list only]

Identifying and describing patterns comprise the essential core of mathematical thinking.  We will explore patterns in nature, in numbers, in geometry, in graphical representations, in conceptual and organizational structures, and in the connections among these perspectives. There will be some duplication from the session offered at QUEST 2007.  With Shelly Berman, Rowan University.

Climate Change: Issues and Solutions [Accepting applications for wait list only]

We will explore the fundamentals of Earth’s climate including the greenhouse effect, human impacts on climate including global warming, and consequences of change. We will consider and evaluate technological and social solutions that allow control over man’s impact on climate. Topics will include solar energy conversion, fuel cells, wind energy, and other alternate energy possibilities.  Prof. Andrew Bocarsly, Chemistry, Princeton University and Dr. Steven Carson, John Witherspoon MS and formerly of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory will facilitate the week’s discussions.

Math Detectives

We’ll be answering questions using data and critical thinking skills.  Explore the world with math and look at the connections between graphs, tables and equations. Pete Brandt, Princeton Day School will facilitate the week's discussions.

Click here to access the grade 4-5 teacher application

For grade 6-8 Teachers

During the week of July 7-11, 2008 (one of the following)

CONNECT-ED - Earth Science [Accepting applications for wait list only]

Lessons on the structure, dynamics and geophysical systems of the Earth will be presented by teams of elementary, middle and high school teachers.  Laurel Goodell, Geosciences, Princeton University will facilitate the week’s discussions. (This session will take place at Rider University.)

The intent of CONNECT-ED is to examine how the students' understanding and knowledge build throughout elementary, middle and high school in addition to learning content and inquiry-based pedagogy. This program is created for teachers from K-12 grade levels. We encourage elementary, middle and high school teachers to register for CONNECT-ED. This program is a partnership of 15 districts and private schools, Princeton and Rider Universities, Bristol-Myers Squibb and industry.

Our Place in Space: Make a Model of your Universe [Accepting applications for wait list only]

What is your model of the Universe?  Join NASA scientists and educators in a week of research-based classroom-ready materials to understand the structure and evolution of our Universe.  We will uncover student misconceptions about the Universe and explore straegies to construct models closer to the current scientific understanding.  We will investigate The Universe's size, scale, structure and how it has changed over time as well as how human understanding of the Universe has grown.  Teachers will receive copies of a multimedia-rich DVD, Beyond the Solar System from NASA's Universe Forum. With Prof. Devid Spergel, Astrophysics, Princeton University and Dr. Joanna Dunkley, Astrophysics, Princeton University & Oxford University, and Lindsay Bartolone, ’99 Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum.

Life and Chemistry in the Ocean

This unit will focus on the role of single-celled organisms, which are the dominant forms of life in the ocean. We will examine how these microscopic organisms, dissolved chemicals, and ocean currents interact to regulate the fertility of the sea and variability of seawater chemistry. The unit will include lecture, laboratory activities, local field work and use of satellite observations.
Prof. Michael Bender and Danielle Schmitt, Geosciences, Princeton University and Dr. Steven Carson, John Witherspoon MS and formerly of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory will facilitate the week’s discussions.

During the week of July 14-18, 2008 (one of the following)

CONNECT-ED - Life Science [Accepting applications for wait list only]

Lessons will be presented on natural selection, inherited characteristics and cells & organs.  The Lead Scientists is to be determined. (This session will take place at Rider University.)

The intent of CONNECT-ED is to examine how the students' understanding and knowledge build throughout elementary, middle and high school in addition to learning content and inquiry-based pedagogy. This program is created for teachers from K-12 grade levels. We encourage elementary, middle and high school teachers to register for CONNECT-ED. This program is a partnership of 15 districts and private schools, Princeton and Rider Universities, Bristol-Myers Squibb and industry.

Climate Change: Issues and Solutions [Accepting applications for wait list only]

We will explore the fundamentals of Earth’s climate including the greenhouse effect, human impacts on climate including global warming, and consequences of change. We will consider and evaluate technological and social solutions that allow control over man’s impact on climate. Topics will include solar energy conversion, fuel cells, wind energy, and other alternate energy possibilities.  Prof. Andrew Bocarsly, Chemistry, Princeton University and Dr. Steven Carson, John Witherspoon MS and formerly of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory will facilitate the week’s discussions.

Math Detectives

We’ll be answering questions using data and critical thinking skills.  Explore the world with math and look at the connections between graphs, tables and equations. Pete Brandt, Princeton Day School will facilitate the week's discussions.

Click here to access the grade 6-8 teacher application

For grade 9-12 Teachers

During the week of July 7-11, 2008 CONNECT-ED - Earth Science [Accepting applications for wait list only]

Lessons on the structure, dynamics and geophysical systems of the Earth will be presented by teams of elementary, middle and high school teachers.  Laurel Goodell, Geosciences, Princeton University will facilitate the week’s discussions. (This session will take place at Rider University.)

During the week of July 14-18, 2008 CONNECT-ED - Life Science [Accepting applications for wait list only]

Lessons will be presented on natural selection, inherited characteristics and cells & organs.  The Lead Scientists is to be determined. (This session will take place at Rider University.)

The intent of CONNECT-ED is to examine how the students' understanding and knowledge build throughout elementary, middle and high school in addition to learning content and inquiry-based pedagogy. This program is created for teachers from K-12 grade levels. We encourage elementary, middle and high school teachers to register for CONNECT-ED. This program is a partnership of 15 districts and private schools, Princeton and Rider Universities, Bristol-Myers Squibb and industry.

Click here to access the grade 9-12 teacher application

Lemonick Science Teaching Awards

Professor Emeritus Aaron Lemonick was the director of QUEST and a life long supporter of teachers. In an effort to commemorate his devotion to QUEST, the advisory council agreed that Aaron would want the teachers to be recognized as well.

Thus, in 2004 we named the spring symposium in honor of Aaron and created the Lemonick Science Teaching Award, to help teachers implement inquiry-based science in their classroom. The Program in Teacher Preparation and Ilene Levine, an integral part of the QUEST team and a special friend of Lemonick, support the teaching awards which are presented at the symposium.

The Lemonick Symposium for QUEST and the Science Teaching Awards are a proper tribute to a wonderful mentor, teacher and scientist. This annual event reminds us of the many contributions Aaron Lemonick made to the Program for Teacher Preparation at Princeton University.

The Lemonick Science Teaching award recipients are as follows:

Spring 2004

Jennifer Errickson Patriarca, Wilbur Watts Intermediate School, Burlington City received a $300 grant to create a school garden for students in grades 4, 5 and 6.

Colleen Lanigan, Robbins School, Trenton received a $200 grant to develop an inquiry-based chemistry unit for the 3 rd and 4 th grade students.

Suzanne Merrill, Lore School, Ewing received a $100 grant to support a life science project for 400 fifth grade students.

Spring 2005

Laura Capriotti, Burlington City Jr. School, Burlington City received a $150 grant to implement a chemistry and environmental science unit with her seventh grade classes.

Suzanne Merrill, Lore School, Ewing received a $150 grant toward the purchase of an incubator and brooder pack to enhance her life science unit with 5 th grade students who shared with other grade levels in the school.

Spring 2006

Heidi Watchin, Millstone River School, West Windsor-Plainsboro received a $300 grant to extend a unit on electric circuits for approximately 17 fourth grade classes.

Liv Bowring, Amsterdam Elementary School, Hillsborough received a $200 grant to purchase and build weather instruments with approximately 100 fourth grade students.

Kelly Kramli, Auten Road Intermediate School, Hillsborough received a $100 grant to develop a unit on ecosystems during which her fifth grade team of approximately 50 students will work with a K-2 special needs class.

Spring 2007

Jeff Grabell, Dutch Neck School, West Windsor-Plainsboro received a $300 grant to extend his human body unit to make connections to chemistry, rock & minerals and mathematics.  Jeff plans to create this unit for his 3rd grade class and then present it as an in-service session for all 3rd grade teachers in the district to potentially reach 700 students.

Dr. Georgia Fisanick, Watchung Hills High School received a $200 grant to purchase Vernier probes for her forensic science classes that will be used by 80 students in grades 11 and 12.

Helen Chang, Millstone River School, West Windsor Plainsboro received a $100 grant to develop a chemical reactions unit for 800 students, grades 3-5.

Spring 2008

Karla Peroni, Sayen Middle School, Hamilton received a $300 grant to extend her Chemical Reactions unit for 40 5th grade students. The students will design their own experiments, use graphing software to test their hypothesis and analyze the data.

Gwen Komyati, Village School, West Windsor-Plainsboro received a $200 grant to purchase maps and science resources for her integrated geology and literature unit that will be used with 50 4th grade students. 

Sashi Gundala, Brooks Crossing, South Brunswick received a $100 grant to enhance her 5th grade sound unit on understanding sound waves and their application in sound, light and seismic activities.