Program Overview
The University of Oregon’s GK12 Science Outreach Program, supported by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Education GAANN program, and the Oregon Engineering and Technology Industry Council, provides
fellowships for 15 graduate students from the Chemistry and Physics departments. In return these GK-12 Fellows serve as resources for
teaching hands-on physical science and mathematics in partnering Oregon elementary
and middle schools.
The
2008/09 program is focused on working with schools within the Umatilla-Morrow ESD and the North Central ESD, 300 miles northeast of the University in Eastern Oregon. The graduate fellows
spend two weeks per term as "scientists-in-residence" assisting with a variety of in-school
activities, centered around the use of nationally developed, inquiry-based science kit curricula.
GK12 Program Objectives:
- Increase student knowledge and appreciation of
math and physical science.
- Provide fellows experience in delivering science
and math education.
- Increase student achievement.
- Enhance teachers' knowledge of physical science
and mathematics content.
- Provide assistance with Oregon’s requirement
for "scientific inquiry work samples."
- Enhance science teaching using science kit-based
instruction.
- Improve fellows' communication skills, enhance
content knowledge and develop teaching skills.
- Prepare fellows for careers that encourage or
require community outreach.
- Increase adoption of kit-based science curricula.
Potential In-school Activities for Fellows:
- Provide K-5 teacher workshops on content
underpinnings.
- Serve as content resource specialists and
assist with their instruction.
- Serve as a science specialist and STEM (science,
technology, engineering and math) coordinator for assigned school.
- Provide demonstrations and other content
resources to teachers and students.
- Help teachers with "scientific-inquiry"
based work samples developed from kit materials.
- Be a scientist in the classroom and, thus,
model how a scientist looks at the world.
- Develop activities (puzzles, challenges,
etc.) that integrate both math and science skills.
- Mentor students in science fair project development.
Contact:
Anae Rosenberg
GK12 Program Director
541-346-4762
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