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 9:00 a.m.in Spieth 1110 Program begins: 9:00 a.m. Lunch provided by SMI: 12:00 p.m.	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: 9:00 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: 9:00 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