IISME Research Collaborative (IRC)

1. IISME Research Collaborative (IRC) Kristen Harrison Facilitator

2. The IRC The IISME Research Collaborative is a group of teachers working together to increase the amount and rigor of research- and inquiry-based science opportunities in their classrooms, schools, and districts.

3. Teacher Participants

4. Results –Clubs, Projects, & Courses ŧUp from 1 to 3 ŧ ŧ Up from 3 to 7 *Up from 49 to 86 **Up from 96 to 209 ¥ Up from 43 to 69 ¥¥ Up from 357 to 591

5. Results cont. – Classroom Inquiry

6. Why does it work? • CHOOSE TO JOIN – Teachers are not told to participate. • DEDICATION – Teachers want to do more “real science.” • INDEPENDENCE – Teachers choose goals/methods and can form teams. • ACCOUNTABILITY – Teachers share goals and updates in a supportive environment.

7. Why does it work? Continued • MEETINGS – Useful and practical content that meets teacher need, no fluff • MENTORS – Access to mentors with lots of experience • DIVERSITY – Variety of districts and teaching environments • SHARING RESOURCES – Best practices, curriculum, recruitment strategies, tracking documents, equipment and contacts • “GO TO” PERSON - For questions

8. Who Participates? • High School Science, Engineering, and Industrial Arts teachers • Range No Experience Lots of Experience • Wide range offers: great collaboration, fresh ideas, experienced teachers share resources

9. Recruiting Teachers • OUTREACH – Directly to targeted teachers • RECOMMENDATIONS – Welcome and sought • INVITATION – Voluntary participation • PREPARATION – Invite to STEM fair event to stimulate and observe interest. • CAPACITY – Grow number of teacher members from each school site.

10. Teacher Projects • Primary Goal – Teacher(s) select goal. • Increase number and rigor of classroom inquiry. • Develop or grow a science research club/course. • Support student-driven research projects. • Facilitator coaches to finalize project objectives, methods, and budget. • Timeline - Finish plan before school year begins.

11. IRC Project Template IISME Research Collaborative - Project Template School Name and address: Lead Teacher Name and contact information: Other Teachers involved and contact information: Main Goal: Increase student participation in student driven research projects (science fair) and/or Increase inquiry based activities in classrooms and/or building a science/research club Objectives: What specific things do you want to achieve this academic year? Write the objectives in a way that will help you measure whether the objective has been met or not. Think SMART (specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, and timely)! One of the following objectives must include be included in some way; 1) students reading and using current research developments or 2) participating in the design of an experiment. Make sure to include 1) the number of students participating, 2) teacher time commitment, and 3) student time commitment. If your main goal is to increase inquiry-based activities in the classroom, please include a number, description, and estimated rigor of the inquiry/research activities for the teachers choosing to infuse activities into their existing classes. Method: How do you think you are going to meet the objectives listed above? These may change as you learn more through the collaborative. Who will need to be involved? When will the objectives be met (could include a timetable)? How will you know when each objective has been met (measure)?

12. IRC Support • Professional Learning Community • Facilitator • Teacher Consultants • Meetings • Online Community • Funding

13. Professional Learning Community The IRC is a group of teachers working together. Members share– • Best practices • Resources and equipment • Experiences • Ideas • Contacts Intel Teachers Engage – Hosts Content/Resources

14. IRC Facilitator • PRIMARY CONTACT • ACTION PLANS – Helps craft/finalize each teacher’s plan • MEETINGS – Plans agenda with consultants,leads sessions, handles logistics • ONLINE COMMUNITY – Posts and organizes content • Data Tracker/Reporter– IRC reports for funders and districts • Budget Manager– Oversees budget and distribution

15. IRC Meetings • MEETINGS – Four per year, each two-hours • Locations – At IRC member schools, rotate • Part One – Whole group meeting • Part Two – Sub-group meeting by focus/content area • Content Targets– • Meet member needs • Plan future • Upcoming needs • Next meeting topic and resources

16. Teacher Consultants • Experienced – Extensive expertise with classroom inquiry, science clubs, and/or supporting student projects • Meetings – Work with facilitator to set agenda and lead breakout sessions • Support – Answer teachers’ questions (phone and email) • Participation – Members with their own projects supported by the IRC

17. Online CommunityIntel Teacher’s Engage Over 80 documents viewed 232+ times • Research Projects – Sample Timelines, Session Content, Procedures, Competition info. • Websites, Grant Opportunities, etc. Content: • Meeting Agendas • Announcements • Inquiry Curriculum – Tagged by Subject • Club Resources – Recruiting, Activities, Procedures

18. Sustainability- • INDEPENDENCE – Goal of independence by Year 3 • INFORMATION – Facilitated information sharing • Teachers from one group help lead another group • Use online community • Bring groups together sometimes • EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES – • Share equipment • Share advice on inexpensive sources • Partner with internship programs & other organizations • Companies donation days • Spread the work – Within schools

19. Challenges IRC – • Teachers are busy! • Wide variety of teacher experience and need • Growing teacher capacity at school site STUDENT PROJECTS – • Recruiting students • Keeping students engaged • Matching students with mentors/special resources

20. Questions? Kristen Harrison kharrison@iisme.org Documents on Intel Teacher’s Engage site, search for Kristen Harrison and Amanda Alonzo