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Middle School Teachers Learn From Florida’s Leading Scientists

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Thirteen 6th grade science teachers from middle schools across Palm Beach County participated in an intensive two-day workshop at Scripps Florida, as part of a continuing professional development program created to strengthen laboratory skills and build confidence with hands-on experiences led by Scripps Florida scientists. 

Dubbed “Scripps Florida InSPIRE” (Instructional Support Program for Innovative Research Education), the program’s first ever middle school workshop ran from January 18-19, 2013 and was presented by Scripps Florida post-doctoral researchers.  The program began offering workshops to high school science teachers two years ago and was developed to meet Scripps Florida’s goal of addressing the needs of Palm Beach County science teachers by providing greater professional development opportunities in a supportive and engaging environment. 

Researchers lead hands-on exercises in math, robotics, and biology that will allow teachers to help their students: gain fluency in multiplication and division of fractions and decimals, connect ratio and rates to multiplication and division, and to interpret and use mathematical expressions and equations.  

In addition, teachers learned about the application of math and technology as the basis for ongoing biomedical research at The Scripps Research Institute.  6th grade science teachers were selected for this workshop as forces (an integral part of robotics) and cells (the building blocks of all life) are covered almost entirely in the 6th grade curriculum in middle school. 

“We are so lucky to have such an amazing biomedical research facility as Scripps right here in PBC that works with local teachers to help get students enthused to learn about technology, engineering, science, and math,” said Britni Herick Rayman, science teacher and workshop participant from Palm Springs Middle School.  “For example, programming Mindstorm robots will not only allow my students to enjoy trial and error with their robots, but maybe for the first time will apply their hard-earned knowledge to do something they are all intrinsically motivated to do.” 

The following 6th grade science teachers from Palm Beach County participated in the 1st Scripps Florida InSPIRE workshop for middle school teachers: 

  1. Julia Smith, Tradewinds Middle School
  2. Mary Ellen Patterson, Jupiter Middle School
  3. Rhonda Steinmetz, Jeaga Middle School
  4. Melissa Huang, Independence Middle School
  5. Britni Herick Rayman, Palm Springs Middle School
  6. Cashuna Walker, Congress Middle School
  7. Annette Ready, Okeeheelee Middle School
  8. Susan Ferrer, Loggers’ Run Middle School
  9. Stephanie Gerus, Loggers’ Run Middle School
  10. Kara McDaniel, Western Pines Middle School
  11. Christine Gainey Permenter, Western Pines Middle School
  12. Sarah Hall, Watson B. Duncan Middle School
  13. Jamie Sessums, Watson B. Duncan Middle School 

“Ultimately, our objective is to foster an enduring partnership and ongoing dialogue between the research scientist and classroom science teacher,” said Deborah Leach-Scampavia, director of education outreach for Scripps Florida.           

The overall goals of Scripps Florida InSPIRE are to:           

  • Enhance the pursuit of scholarship in the sciences for classroom teachers,
  • Improve teacher access to contemporary scientific materials and methods, as well as state-of the-art laboratory techniques,
  • Provide ongoing contact between scientists and classroom teachers for curriculum and subject support, and
  • Empower educators to bridge the performance gap in science. 

InSPIRE was developed by the Scripps Florida Office of Education Outreach and was made possible by the generous support of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust. 

For more information, contact Greg Goebel, 6-12 Science Program Planner, at 561-357-1128 or via email at gregory.goebel@palmbeachschools.org.

 

 

 

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 Public Affairs Contact: Natalia Arenas – (561) 357-7662 – natalia.arenas@palmbeachschools.org

 


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