2015

Publication: October 2015

Authors: Becky Carroll, Michelle Phillips, Heather Mitchell, Laurie Lopez, Nina Houghton, and Mark St. John

Type: Reports

Abstract

Inverness Research evaluated the Maine Physical Sciences Project (Maine PSP), a partnership between the University of Maine and K-12 educators designed to improve the teaching and learning of physical sciences across multiple school districts and the University of Maine. In these three briefs, we summarize the high level findings from our evaluation of the program.

The Briefs include:

1) Contributions to Teachers and Students (pdf, 9 pages)
The Maine Physical Sciences Partnership (PSP) strategically addressed improving teaching and learning in physical sciences through the selection and support for implementation of new instructional materials, and through professional development and leadership opportunities such as collaboratives, cohort meetings, and other activities that provide opportunities for university faculty and teachers to work together. This brief presents highlights of what teachers and students have to say about the project’s contributions.

2) Innovative Arrangements and Strategies for Strengthening STEM Teaching and Learning (pdf, 7 pages)
In this brief, we share findings on ne of the key successes of the Maine PSP — the development of innovative arrangements to strengthen STEM teaching and learning, both at the university and in 6th-9th grade classrooms throughout the region. These arrangements address specific challenges in reforming STEM education at the university and K-12 classroom levels. They build capacity and foster learning communities of practice within university faculty and classrooms, within the community of K-12 teachers and classrooms, and most importantly, in cross-over and collaboration between these two communities. These innovative arrangements and strategies improve teaching and learning in STEM courses on campus and provide increased opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to gain teaching experiences on campus and/or in K-12 classrooms. Crucial assets have been built through this partnership, both at the university and in the schools, establishing a platform for future improvement work.

3) Building Teacher Leadership Capacity in Maine (pdf, 7 pages)
In this brief, we share findings about the ways in which and the extent to which the Maine PSP has created significant human, social, and knowledge capital in the form of leading teachers––whose collective and individual capacities are now important assets that can carry forward the work of improving science education in Maine. Already the development of teacher leadership initiated by the PSP has been expanded through the Maine Elementary Science Project (ESP), and teacher leadership is a critical component of a new effort to improve the teacher pre-service program at the University of Maine.

Other resources

Maine Physical Sciences Project
www.mspnet.org/projects/mpsp/index.html/

Intended Audience

Science-Technology-Engineering-Math (STEM) Education Leaders, Teachers, Science Educators and Administrators, Funders, and general public..

Disclaimer

Any and all errors are claimed by the authors of this document, Inverness Research, Inc.

Distribution Policy

Inverness Research Inc. grants permission to print and distribute copies.