Princeton Center for Complex Materials


SCSP Home Page

K-12 Science Education Workshop for Princeton Scientists

January 11, 1999, 5-7 p.m.

Click here for Pictures from the Workshop

PMI Outreach and the Princeton Environmental Institute held a joint Science Education Workshop for our faculty, students, and postdocs, to introduce some of the latest thinking and practices in K-12 science education.  This workshop was the first step in preparing our scientists to assist regional school districts in science education reform.

Scientists: To learn more about the national science education reform effort, and your role in it, go to our LINKS TO BRIEF EXCERPTS, which you can read on-line or print.

Questions about the Workshop

Who is this workshop for?

It is open to all Princeton scientists, and is aimed specifically at faculty, research staff, undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs in PEI and PMI.

What happened in the workshop?  How will this prepare me, and for what?

The purpose of this workshop is to allow you to become familiar with both the principles and practice of inquiry-based curricula being adopted in the schools in our region (below).

squareshaded.gif (487 bytes) You will hear from national leaders and teachers who have used the new curricula.

squareshaded.gif (487 bytes) You will have an opportunity to explore some of the hands-on kits with experienced teachers, ask questions, and make comments. 

squareshaded.gif (487 bytes) Some written materials will also be available.  To read them on-line go HERE.  

How does this fit in with what's happening in the schools?

This is a very exciting time for science education in this area.  We have in our region an extraordinary collaboration of far-sighted school systems that are engaged in a careful, well thought out process of replacing traditional science curricula with inquiry-based modules built around hands-on kits from nationally recognized developers.  To learn more, go here.

In cooperation with the National Science Resource Council (NSRC) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Center for Science Education, and supported by NSF, these districts have undertaken a major revitalization of their K-12 science curricula.  These districts (and others to follow) are creating new standards-based curricula built around inquiry-based modules that include inquiry kits managed by Science To Go at the Invention Factory Science Center.  Our faculty will contribute by supporting teachers as they adopt these new curricula.   PMI and PEI faculty members, working in small teams or individually, will become "specialists" in one or more of the curriculum modules.

What will I do after attending the workshop?

bigredbullet.gif (1381 bytes) Conduct workshops for teachers
bigredbullet.gif (1381 bytes) Visit classrooms to observe curriculum in action
bigredbullet.gif (1381 bytes) Act as a resource to teachers via phone or email

More details will be posted soon.

When will I do it?

Starting as early as possible, preferably in Spring 1999

Last updated 10/03/00