Professional Development Opportunities
The Math & Science Collaborative (MSC) and the Math Science Partnership (MSP) provide professional development opportunities and support initiatives in math and science education designed to improve teaching and learning. On-going professional development strengthens math and science education at the classroom, school, district and regional levels.
Professional development opportunities currently provided by MSC/MSP include:
Academies and Seminars
Starting in summer 2010, both the mathematics and science opportunities will be available in convenient 5-day modules. These math and science seminars will facilitated by highly trained Science and Mathematics Coordinators, assisted by local higher education faculty that aid in bringing content depth to the session. There will be four Mathematics Seminars, three Science seminars and one Science Content Seminar. Click on the following links for full information on Science Seminars and Mathematics Seminars.
Introduction to Professional Learning Community (PLC)
This new learning experience, occurring for seven days during the school year, will engage educators in their own learning while preparing and supporting them to work collaboratively with other people in their buildings. The Introduction to PLC will include elements of collaborative lesson design, which are based on major learning concepts of the key courses required for graduation. This course will be available during the 2010-2011 school year for both math and science educators.
The Learning Laboratory
The Learning Laboratory incorporates the "fishbowl" approach to witnessing and analyzing student thinking in math and science, which was inspired by Deborah Ball (University of Michigan). Each day, the educator participants observe a two hour session taught tot students in a local K-12 summer school setting, involving lessons in math and science. For the remainder of the three-day experience, focused on the learning in the lessons, both before and after the observation, Learning Lab participants engage in recognizing and advancing students' understanding of concepts taught. The Learning Lab is held during the summer. Click here for further information about the Learning Laboratory.
Math Coach Network
Recognizing that Math Coaches seek to: 1) develop deepened content and pedagogical knowledge, 2) become aware of new professional development resources, 3) learn to use case studies to examine coaching situations to determine what makes a coaching strategy effective, and 4) know how to objectively reflect on their own coaching work,
The Math & Science Collaborative is offering professional development opportunities for Math Coaches to:
- Provide a one-day forum to present the role guide for the Math Coach
- Use classroom tapes to address the various role elements
- Show participants where the Math Science Partnership programs fit into the role guide
- Facilitate discussions and sharing on how the participants are currently functioning in relationship to the role guide
Math Coach Network meetings will be held at the AIU. The schedule for 2010-2011 is:
- October 18, 2010
- November 19, 2010
- January 28, 2011
- February 28, 2011
- May 6, 2011 8:00-4:00
For further information, contact Sam Shaneyfelt at 412-394-5759.
