SMI Summer 2008 Institute
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
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