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Elearning Hands-On Science Exploration Pilot Program History. . .

The purpose of this pilot project, which began in the summer 2005, was to support the planning, designing, training and implementation of an Elearning Hands-On Science Exploration Professional Development Workshop for K-5 teachers in Gates, Halifax and Perquimans County.  Elizabeth City State University led this cooperative effort with College of the Albemarle, Port Discover, Museum of the Albemarle, the NCDPI Educator on Loan, Gates County, Halifax County, and Perquimans County Schools participating.  This overall objective of this project was to significantly improve the science education of K-5 teachers and students in Northeastern North Carolina, resulting in an economic vitality and social improvement in the lives of the people of the region, encouraging interest in careers in science, engineering, and technology for the future.

 The purpose of this initiative was:

• To provide a quality online Science workshop for K-5 teachers from Gates County, Halifax County, and Perquimans County.  
• To provide Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credit for teachers without having them to come to the ECSU campus.
• To model best practices in facilitating Science instruction.
• To motivate teachers to teach using the inquiry based learning method.
• To impact student’s application of scientific principles.

 Phase I involved: (Summer 05)

• The selection of a K-2 Lead Teacher and a 3-5 Lead Teacher.
• The selection of the core team of teachers, curriculum specialists, instructional technology designers representing ECSU, COA, Port Discover, Museum of the Albemarle, Gates County, Halifax County, and Perquimans County Schools.
• The creation of the agenda/format for the fall 2005 weekend Professional Development Workshops.
• The submission of grant proposals for future funding/continuation of this project after Spring 06.

 Phase II involved: (Fall 05)

·        The core team of teachers, curriculum specialist, instructional technology designers coming together on four weekends and two evenings to explore/discover science concepts using NCDPI Approved Science Curriculum Kits and creating a K-2 and a 3-5  Online/IVC Hands-On Science Exploration Professional Development Workshop.

·        The Registration of K-2 and 3-5 teachers through the ECSU Continuing Education Program for the Spring 2006 Online/IVC Hands-On Science Exploration Professional Development Workshop. 

Phase III involved: (Spring 05)

• The implementation of the Online/IVC Hands-On Science Exploration Professional Development Workshop for K-2 and 3-5 teachers utilizing Lead Teachers and teacher facilitators.
• The evaluation of data gathered and the revising of the Online/IVC Hands-On Science Professional Development Workshop for K-2 and 3-5 teachers for the next session.

Expected Outcomes:

 Participating teachers are expected to:

• Increase their confidence and enthusiasm in teaching science
• Incorporate more student-centered learning activities (i.e., hands-on, inquiry-approach, problem-solving activities that develop science process skills) into their curriculum rather than teacher-directed activities.
• Demonstrate ways to teach science across the curriculum.
• Integrate technology (spreadsheets & graphs, databases, powerpoints, etc) with science.
• Improve the science education of K-5 teachers and students in Northeastern North Carolina
• Improve the economic vitality and social well-being of the lives of the people of the region
• Encourage student interest in careers in science, engineering, and technology.

Our Elearning Hands-On Science Design Team:

K-2 Exploring Properties of Objects
Grades 3-5 Exploring Soil Science
	The Designing Process	Using the "ASSURE" Method of Design
		Utilizing ECSU Preservice Teachers' Science PowerPoint Presentations in the Modules

Created 8/29/2005

Revised 8/26/2008

For More Information

Contact Project Coordinator:

Claudia C. Twiford @ 252-335-3136

cctwiford@mail.ecsu.edu