Research Experiences for Research Experiences for TeachersTeachers

Impact on StudentsImpact on Students

Columbia University’s Columbia University’s Summer Research Summer Research Program for Science TeachersProgram for Science Teachers

22ndnd National RET Conference National RET Conference Redwood City, CA Redwood City, CA November 14, 2003November 14, 2003

Jay Dubner, Program CoordinatorJay Dubner, Program Coordinator

Research Experiences for Research Experiences for TeachersTeachers

Impact on StudentsImpact on Students

Columbia University’s Columbia University’s Summer Research Summer Research Program for Science TeachersProgram for Science Teachers

22ndnd National RET Conference National RET Conference Redwood City, CA Redwood City, CA November 14, 2003November 14, 2003

Jay Dubner, Program CoordinatorJay Dubner, Program Coordinator

“Practice What You Teach”

“Practice What You Teach”

Columbia’s Summer Research Program for Science Teachers was established in 1990 for the purpose of contributing to the improvement of science achievement of students by providing science teachers with experience in the practice of science. Teachers become members of research teams.

Program Demographics1990-2003

149 middle and high school science teachers

85% public schools 56% women 46% minorities

NSF-Supported Programs at Columbia University

MRSEC (Materials Research & Science Engineering Center)– 12 teachers (1999-2003)

EMSI (Environmental Molecular Sciences Institute)– 8 teachers (1999-2003)

NSEC (Nanotechnology Science & Engineering Center)– 2 teachers (2002-03)

Alison Biuso, Asst. Director of Education

Program Design

20-25 middle and high school science teachers work as a full-time member of a research team (4 days a week)

Work along side faculty, graduate students, post docs & technicians Weekly seminars to build a professional learning community.

– Science content: seminars with speakers on topics of broad general interest – Lectures are videotaped

– Science communication: describe their research projects to each other– Science teaching: Lead hands-on demo lessons, engage in discussions

of common concern– Peer coaching: 2nd year participants provide guidance and

encouragement to 1st year participants 8 weeks each summer for 2 consecutive summers Graduate Students and Post-Doctoral Students visit teacher’s school

once a month between October and May

Goals of the Program

Update lessons & labs to contain current science information Increase inquiry-based instruction Implement collaborative learning Bring materials and resources back to the school Educate students on many career opportunities in the

sciences Use Internet as a research tool Introduce new technologies Stay updated on findings in science (e.g. read scientific

journals)

Expected Program Outcomes

Increased student interest in science Increased student achievement in science

GenesisGenesis

In 1994, Columbia’s Summer Research Program began collecting quantitative student data from NYC public high schools- Treatment Group -- Students in science classes of Program teachers (Prior to program participation through completion of 2-year program)

- Comparison Group -- Students in science classes of non-participating teachers from the same schools

Findings

Program has engaged teachers intellectually

Provided them with new avenues of professional & personal growth

Increased their appreciation for the process of scientific discovery

Enhanced their ability to converse the excitement and vitality of science to their students and fellow educators

Instruments Administered

Pre-program survey Post-program survey Mentor survey Spring implementation survey

2002 Teacher Survey Data 96% stated they have shared Columbia-derived information, materials

and/or resources with other school personnel.

91% reported increasing hands-on activities in their classrooms and/or new laboratory exercises in response to their experiences at Columbia.

86% reported developing new or revised content to lessons and/or labs since participating in Columbia’s Program*.

64% reported discussing science careers and related job requirements with their students.

78% reported increasing problem-solving activities in their classes.

•* 200 Lesson & lab plans referencing the National Science Standards on Program’s Web site

2002 Teacher Survey Data (con’t)

78% reported initiating or increasing their use of computers since their participation in the program.

70% reported reading scientific journals more frequently than before.

68% reported assuming new leadership roles/responsibilities in their school/district/region.

64% reported increased requirements for formal written reports and/or oral presentation requirements.

Student Performance Student Performance IndicatorsIndicators

Student Performance Student Performance IndicatorsIndicators

Data Collected from:Data Collected from:– Science Club ParticipationScience Club Participation– Intel Science Talent Project ParticipationIntel Science Talent Project Participation– NYS Science Regents Exam ScoresNYS Science Regents Exam Scores– NYS Science Regents Exam Pass RateNYS Science Regents Exam Pass Rate

9.6%

3.2%

14.6%

2.9%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

Prior 2nd in

Year of Participation

Science Clubs

Teachers

Control Group

0.09%

0.18%

0.47%

0.16%

0.00%

0.20%

0.40%

0.60%

Percentage Students

Involved in Intel Projects

Prior After 2nd Year

Year in Program

Intel Science Talent Search

Teachers

Control Group

32.9%37.6%

42.1%36.4%

43.9%

32.7%

48.3%

37.1%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

Pass Rate Percentage

Prior After 1 yr After 2 yr After 3 yr

Year of Program Participation

Regents Pass Rate

teachers

control

Funding Sources

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation JP Morgan Chase Foundation Howard Hughes Medical Institute Laura B. Vogler Foundation National Institutes of Health National Science Foundation New York Times Company Foundation Pfizer Foundation, Inc. Waksman Foundation for Microbiology

Contact Information

www.ScienceTeacherProgram.org

Jay Dubner(212) 305-6899

jd109@columbia.edu