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Summer Institute


SMI Summer Institute: Scientific Teaching

On June 16 through June 18, 2008, SMI hosted its inaugural 3-day intensive training for future and credentialed science and mathematics teachers. Based on a new teaching philosophy modeled in Scientific Teaching (Handelsman, 2007), Professor Bradley C. Hyman conducted this highly interactive program. Professor Hyman was recently named a National Academy of Sciences Education Fellow and is a recent alumnus of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute/National Academies of Sciences (HHMI/NAS) Institute on Scientific Teaching. Participants examined principles and practices of "scientific teaching" that provided them with a new set of pedagogical tools to help engage students with the wonders of science and mathematics. The ultimate goal was to equip teachers with research-based teaching to return excitement back to the classroom.

The response to this professional development opportunity was overwhelming. The diverse pool of over 50 applicants displayed a wide range of teaching-related experiences, ethnicity, teaching philosophy, and subject area of expertise. Due to SMI's limited resources, we were only able to extend invitation to 11 SMI students and 3 SMI mentor teachers were selected. Upon successful completion of the training program, each participant will earn a $500 stipend.

Participants were expected to:

  • Complete outside class reading assignments by designated due dates (including pre-institute reading assignment)
  • Demonstrate active learning
  • Apply scientific teaching principles to science/mathematics topics
  • Design and implement teachable lessons collaboratively with other participants
Dates Topics/Activities Reading Assignments
Pre-Institute
  • Return Signed Letter of Commitment to SMI Resource Center
  • Pick up Scientific Teaching textbook from SMI Resource Center
  • Complete Pre-Institute Reading Assignments
  • Scientific Teaching(Handelsman)
    • Chapter 1: pages 1-5 & 13-17 (and be aware of the glossary terms on pages 19-21)
    • Chapter 2: pages 23-29
    • Chapter 5: pages 83-91
Monday, June 16, 2008
  • Sign-in/Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. in Spieth 1110
  • Program begins: 9 a.m
  • Lunch provided by SMI: 12 noon
  • Welcome/Introductions
  • What makes Scientific Teaching training unique
  • Define: Scientific Teaching, Active Learning, Backward Design, Teachable Units
  • Group Work
  • “Scientific Teaching” Journal Article from Science Magazine
  • Scientific Teaching (Handelsman)
    • Chapter 2: pages 31-45
    • Chapter 5: pages 91-97
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
  • Program begins: 9 a.m.in Darwin Room
  • Lunch: on your own
  • Develop learning goals to applied toward: Teachable Tidbit, Backward Design, Deiversity, Assessment
  • How earlier topics may be applied to selected topic/concept
  • Group Work
  • Scientific Teaching (Handelsman)
    • Chapter 3: pages 52-59
    • Chapter 4: pages 78-82
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
  • Program begins: 9 a.m. in Darwin Room
  • Lunch: on your own
  • Practice Lesson Delivery
  • Lesson Presentations
  • Feedback
  • Closing Remarks
N/A

Summer Institute Memories

Summer 2008 Participants:

Nathan Boss, Nancy Duong, Stephanie Fong, Mike Nelson, Elizabeth Marroquin, Emily Muhu, Imaya Ramos, Miguel Saucedo, Matt Schiller, Fallyn Thompson, Joann Valencia, Karin Westerling, Leona Wong, Nicole Yumori


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University of California, Riverside
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Riverside, CA 92521
Tel: (951) 827-1012

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Department Information

California Teach Science Mathematics Initiative
1315 Pierce Hall

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Fax: (951) 827-4971
E-mail: smi@ucr.edu

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