The TI model emphasizes the importance of the inquiry process in teaching and learning science by combining a research experience for teachers with curriculum adaptation and action research. To implement the TI model at Grand Valley, seven new graduate courses have been carefully created to comprise a new chemistry emphasis for the existing M.Ed. program.
A longitudinal study examining differences between the participant and comparison groups, as well as measures of participant change over time, will investigate the nature of the impacts of the TI program on teachers and their students. Two teacher cohorts, a comparison teacher group, and approximately 5,000 high school students will be studied.
"The new science education standards demand a lot of our high school teachers but they do not supply adequate support," said Deborah Herrington, one of the project's two principal investigators from Grand Valley's Chemistry Department. "The TI program is important as it provides teachers with both the tools and the support to promote continued improvement in their teaching."
The award from NSF will allow the impact of the TI program to expand beyond West Michigan through broad dissemination of their results.
"What we learn from TI teachers and their students can positively impact students across the nation," said Ellen Yezierski, also a principal investigator from Grand Valley's Chemistry Department. "This award will fuel the broad dissemination of our work. It would be amazing to see the TI model implemented at other colleges and universities."
Grand Valley has strong commitments to both high quality education and service to the K-12 community. The TI program supports both of these missions as well as helps to build networks of high school chemistry teachers and university chemistry faculty in West Michigan.
For more information visit www.gvsu.edu/chem/concentration
