EARTH SCIENCE RESOURCE BOOK
Through a grant from the American Geological Institute, this program is designed to construct and trial test an Earth Science Resource Book for teachers in grades 4-6. To construct the Earth Science Resource Book, local teachers work with CSUF as a team on two modules entitled: "Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes" and "The Restless Ocean". Teams from four other regional centers work on other modules. Teams come together at national meetings to critique modules. The grant for this program continues through 1998.
- Contact: Dr. Gaylen Carlson, Regional Director
- Department of Geological Science
- McCarthy Hall 264C
- Phone: (714) 278-3942
- E-mail: gcarlson@fullerton.edu
- McCarthy Hall 264C
TARGET AUDIENCE: Teachers in grades 4-6
FUNDING SOURCE: Grant from American Geological Institute funded by the National Science Foundation and Chevron
EXCELLENT SCIENCE AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL (PROJECT ExSEL)
Project ExSEL, a new project which will enhance science teaching at the elementary level, has been funded by the California Postsecondary Education Commission with Federal Eisenhower Funds. It provides an opportunity for 30 elementary teachers in Orange County to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching Science (MAT-S) through the Science Education Program of the School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics at California State University, Fullerton. Faculty from the School of Human Development and Community Servi ce are also involved in the planning and teaching of some of the courses.
The MAT-S degree is designed to give elementary classroom teachers an opportunity to gain broader and deeper understanding of the sciences and to examine the curricular and pedagogical issues associated with science teaching and learning. The grant funds will cover the costs of tuition and fees and most of the materials for the courses. Classes will meet all day on alternate Saturdays for six semesters starting in the Fall of 1997.
The degree requires 30 units of graduate coursework and the completion of a project or thesis. The course units will be distributed in the following manner: 15 units of science content (4 or 5 courses); 9 units in Science Education content (3 courses) a nd 6 units of Independent Research (1 course) and Project (1 course). Action Research Projects are encouraged.
- Contact: Dr. Marvin Rosenberg
- Department of Biological Science
- McCarthy Hall 359
- Phone: (714) 278-2464
- E-mail: mrosenberg@fullerton.edu
- McCarthy Hall 359
- Dr. Julia C. Wan
- McCarthy Hall 527
- Phone: (714) 278-4558
- E-mail: jwan@fullerton.edu
- Phone: (714) 278-4558
TARGET AUDIENCE: Elementary teachers
FUNDING SOURCE: California Postsecondary Education Commission with Federal Eisenhower Funds
Secondary Teachers
PROJECT MOLECULAR GRAPHICS
Project Molecular Graphics increases the biochemistry emphasis of biology and chemistry courses at Downey High School. It is designed so that students can better understand the relationships between biology, chemistry, and mathematics. The project has b oth a curriculum and technology emphasis. The emphasis of chemistry and biology courses change so that students understand the importance of chemistry in biology. The project allows biology and chemistry instructors to demonstrate the mathematical basis of many chemical principles and the chemical basis of many biological phenomena.
- Contacts: Dr. Katherine Kantardjieff
- Department of Chemistry
- McCarthy Hall 513B
- Phone: (714) 278-3752
- E-mail: kkantardjieff@fullerton.edu
- Mr. Russell Cramm
- Downey High School
- Phone: (310) 869-7301
- McCarthy Hall 513B
TARGET AUDIENCE: Biology and chemistry teachers and students at Downey High School
FUNDING SOURCE: Research Corporation and the Downey Unified School District
K-12 Teachers
MATHEMATICS DIAGNOSTIC TESTING PROJECT (MDTP)
The primary goal of the Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project (MDTP) is to help teachers better prepare students for further study in mathematics. The project identifies topics and skills needed for success in mathematics. MDTP assists local middle and high schools in testing students for their mathematics abilities in prealgebra through precalculus by diagnosing areas of strength and weakness. The CSUF site serves an area encompassing approximately 550 secondary schools.
- Contact: Dr. David Pagni, Project Site Director
- Department of Mathematics
- McCarthy Hall 434A
- Phone: (714) 278-2671
- E-mail: dpagni@fullerton.edu
- McCarthy Hall 434A
FUNDING SOURCE: UC/CSU Academic Partnership Program
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA MENTORS IN PHYSICS INSTITUTE (SCAMPI)
The primary goal of SCAMPI is to train a team of 42 well-prepared, experienced high school physics teachers to be mentors and help K-12 teachers with both content and pedagogy to enable them to teach physics better. After intensive training in summer ins titutes, during the academic year mentors give workshops to other K-12 educators with the support of the Offices of Education in each of the counties in the SCAMPI service area. In addition to the county workshops, mentors conduct professional developmen t workshops that support other California state initiatives in science education. Some mentors assist elementary school teachers in the California Science Implementation Network (CSIN) with learning fundamental physics and introducing it into their class rooms. Others help teachers involved with the Scope, Sequence and Coordination Project (SS&C). One of the very successful components of SCAMPI is the Topical Conference series, held annually since 1989. At these Conferences top physicists speak abou t their research in timely and current areas of physics.
- Contact: Dr. Roger Nanes
- Department of Physics
- McCarthy Hall 652
- Phone: (714) 773-2188
- E-mail: rnanes@fullerton.edu
- McCarthy Hall 652
TARGET AUDIENCE: K-12 science teachers
FUNDING SOURCE: National Science Foundation
College Faculty
CONTEXTUAL COURSEWORK FOR ELEMENTARY PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS (ConCEPT)
To reverse the historically poor preparation of many of California's elementary school teachers in science, and to increase the quality and quantity of science instruction in the state's elementary classrooms, California State University, Fullerton, in co llaboration with five local community colleges, will develop Contextual Coursework for Elementary Pre-Service Teachers (ConCEPT). Because most elementary teachers fulfill their science requirements at community colleges, ConCEPT will target prospective e lementary teachers at CSUF and the community colleges (a pool of 3,500-4,500 students). ConCEPT will draw on existing exemplary curriculum materials to develop three 3-unit courses, including laboratory experience, designed to help future K-6 teachers un derstand science concepts, acquire science process skills and implement the K-6 National Science Education Standards. The courses will be cross-disciplinary, with a contextual approach to science and a hands-on, inquiry-based pedagogy. ConCEPT courses w ill be developed collaboratively during the first year and refined and piloted during the second year.ConCEPT's immediate impact will be to change the way future elementary teachers at the six participating institutions experience science. Within a few years, as newly credentialed teachers enter their own classrooms, ConCEPT will begin to affect the way California's elementary students learn about science as well. The ConCEPT courses will have application at any institution where future elementary teachers fulfill their general education science requirements and after successful field testing, will be d isseminated to institutions throughout the U.S. Beyond the course design, ConCEPT will establish an innovative model for higher education collaborations generally and course development specifically, creating a new approach to articulation between commun ity colleges and four-year institutions. Ultimately, it will help lay the foundation for general education science courses at institutions across the country.
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Project Leaders: |
Institution: | Email Address: |
| Dr. Roger Nanes (PI) | Cal State Fullerton | rnanes@fullerton.edu |
| Dr. Julia C. Wan (Co-PI) | Cal State Fullerton | jwan@fullerton.edu |
| Dr. David Fromson (Co-PI) | Cal State Fullerton | dfromson@fullerton.edu |
| Dr. Bruce Weber (Co-PI) | Cal State Fullerton | bhweber@fullerton.edu |
| Ms. Joan Lebsack (Co-PI) | Fullerton College | joan_lebsack@fullcoll.edu |
| Dr. Dorothy Stout (Co-PI) | Cypress College | gaea@netcom.com |
| Dr. Allen Brown (Co-PI) | Fullerton College | mamabird@aol.com |
- Contact: Dr. Roger Nanes
- Physics
- McCarthy Hall 652
- Phone: (714) 278-2188
- E-mail: rnanes@fullerton.edu
- McCarthy Hall 652
- Dr. Julia C. Wan
- McCarthy Hall 527
- Phone: (714) 278-4558
- E-mail: jwan@fullerton.edu
- Phone: (714) 278-4558
TARGET AUDIENCE: College faculty
FUNDING SOURCE: National Science Foundation
LOS ANGELES COLLABORATIVE FOR TEACHER EXCELLENCE (LACTE)
The Los Angeles Collaborative for Teacher Excellence (LACTE) is a consortium of ten institutions of higher education in Los Angeles and Orange counties and one of the National Science Foundation's Collaborative for Excellence in Teaching programs. LA CTE goals include increasing the numbers of students from underrepresented groups who pursue a career in mathematics or science teaching, refining the current curricula at participating institutions to reflect research and developments in mathematics and science instruction, and elevating the status of teaching and educational reform in higher education.
- Contact: Dr. Michael Clapp
- Mathematics
- McCarthy Hall 160D
- Phone: (714) 278-2743
- E-mail: mclapp@fullerton.edu
- McCarthy Hall 160D
FUNDING SOURCE: National Science Foundation and participating institutions
PROJECT STUDENTS USING MATHEMATICS SUCCESSFULLY (SUMS)
Project Students Using Mathematics Successfully (SUMS) uses the current California Mathematics Framework (1992) and National Council of Mathematics (NCTM) Curriculum and Evaluation Standards (1989), as models for the professional development of 1620 te achers, and 480 instructional assistants and administrators (Grades Pre K-9) from the Santa Ana Unified School District. The project will galvanize parents, teachers, support staff, administrators, and community advocates who expect quality education for students. Specifically, the goals of this project are to change:
* the classroom behavior of teachers and students as they do mathematics to reflect the reform efforts outlined by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).
* teachers' attitudes and self-confidence in doing mathematics themselves and teaching mathematics.
* schools' current parent involvement efforts in mathematics education to reflect reform thinking for parental involvement, including parents as resources in schools and in the community.
* schools' current community/business partner involvement efforts in mathematics education to reflect reform thinking for community/business partner support.
* students' abilities to do mathematics in ways reflected in the NCTM Standards and Addenda Series, e.g. investigations, problem solving.
* the current district textbook series and help teachers successfully implement the newly selected state mathematics adoption, K-9.
* teachers' expectations of mathematical achievement for minority students to reflect the reform philosophy that all students can do mathematics, including Limited English Proficient (LEP) students.
* teachers' expectations of mathematical achievement for female students to reflect the Gender Equity Agenda that girls should be encouraged as much as boys.
Over a five year period, all teachers, instructional assistants, and administrators from pre-K to grade 9 (2100 participants) will participate in two years (100 hours) of staff development in mathematics content and pedagogy with emphasis on newly-adopted instructional materials and reform. Ongoing support of this instruction will include implementation of site-based Action Plans focusing on teacher discourse, reflection, and classroom observation and coaching, resulting in an additional 100 hours of par ticipation. Parents, community and business partners will learn about reform as well as assist in the reform effort through site-based events and activities resulting in another 100 hours of participation. As part of the district's commitment to the pro ject, two district-wide staff development days a year will be devoted to mathematics, involving all teachers, instructional assistants, and administrators.
- Contact: Dr. David Pagni, Principal Investigator
- Mathematics
- McCarthy Hall 434A
- Phone: (714) 278-2671
- E-mail: dpagni@fullerton.edu
- McCarthy Hall 434A
TARGET AUDIENCE: K-12 teachers, administrators, and instructional assistants
FUNDING SOURCE: National Science Foundation
UNDERGRADUATE REFORM INITIATIVE (URI) AT CAL STATE FULLERTON
The Undergraduate Reform Initiative describes a three-year plan addressing the academic needs of four student populations: (1) beginning students embarking on majors in science, mathematics, or engineering (SME); (2) junior and senior SME majors; (3) non -science majors interested in becoming elementary school teachers; and, (4) non-science majors seeking general education in science and technology.The goals of the project are to: (1) retain greater numbers of beginning science and engineering majors; (2) provide SME graduates with knowledge and experience essential in the modern workplace; (3) ensure that future teachers have the understanding, sk ills, and attitudes necessary to promote student success; and, (4) educate a citizenry more literate in science and technology. The overall strategy is to build on existing successful projects and focus them on the goals of the institution-wide initiativ e. Three interdisciplinary faculty teams of at least ten members each will lead the reform effort. Team One will work on the curriculum and presentation of foundation courses. Team Two will focus on general education and teacher preparation. Team Thre e will work on interdisciplinary enhancements for science, mathematics, and engineering majors. Each team will have a leader who is well positioned to develop curricular and instructional innovations and to involve their colleagues in the Initiative.
The foundation courses team will pursue a variety of means to make the first-year instruction in science and mathematics more student-centered, meaningful, and effective. It will continue to refine and expand the innovative use of technology that has bee n piloted in several current projects. The use of client/server instructional systems that facilitate the preparation, exchange, and assessment of student work will provide a basis for this effort. A particular focus will be enhanced analytical and crit ical thinking, as well as communication skills within the disciplines. Further, the interdisciplinary team will work with mathematics faculty to apply examples and problems from the relevant fields into the mathematics courses. In addition, the team wil l work on better sequencing and coordination of courses in the supportive disciplines with the student's major discipline, thus making optimal use of required courses outside of the major.
For the science and mathematics courses in general education and teacher preparation, the team will work closely with the university-wide effort to reform its general education curriculum.
For the interdisciplinary enhancement of SME majors, the team will explore ways to embed communication skills in the preparation of students, combine science and technology with focused work in business, employ modern computer laboratories, and build u pon the rich traditions of undergraduate research, currently supported by NSF and NIH, to expand opportunities for learning through experience in problem-solving situations. Team-based clinics, projects in applied mathematics, internships, and laboratory research experiences will increase students readiness for careers in science and technology.
|
Leadership Team: |
Cal State Fullerton: | Email Address: |
| Milton A. Gordon (PI) | President | mgordon@fullerton.edu |
| Mary Kay Tetreault (Co-PI) | Vice President, Academic Affairs | mtetreault@fullerton.edu |
| Kolf Jayaweera (Co-PI) | kjayaweera@fullerton.edu | |
| David Falconer (Co-PI) | Associate Dean, College of Engineering & Computer Science | falconer@titan.fullerton.edu |
| Julia C. Wan (Co-PI) | Cal State Fullerton | jwan@fullerton.edu |
| David Fromson | Associate Dean, College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics | dfromson@fullerton.edu |
- Contact: Dr. David Fromson
- Associate Dean, Natural Sciences & Mathematics
- McCarthy Hall 166
- Phone: (714) 278-2638
- E-mail: dfromson@fullerton.edu
- McCarthy Hall 166
- Dr. Julia Wan
- McCarthy Hall 527
- Phone: (714) 278-4557
- E-mail: jwan@fullerton.edu
- Phone: (714) 278-4557
TARGET AUDIENCE: College faculty
FUNDING SOURCE: National Science Foundation
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