Columbia University’s Summer Research Program for Science Teachers Samuel C. Silverstein, M.D., Program Director Jay Du

1. Columbia University’s Summer Research Program for Science TeachersSamuel C. Silverstein, M.D., Program DirectorJay Dubner, Program Coordinator American Chemical Society National Meeting 29 March 2004 Anaheim, CA

3. “Practice What You Teach” Columbia’s Summer Research Program for Science Teachers was established in 1990 for the purpose of contributing to the improvement of science achievement of students by providing science teachers with experience in the practice of science. Teachers become members of research teams.

4. Genesis • Late 1980’s, Dr. Samuel C. Silverstein, Professor of Physiology, gave a talk at Rockefeller University as part of their Christmas Lecture Series. • Pre-college science teachers were in attendance • Realizing the teachers limited content knowledge base, Dr. Silverstein created the Summer Research Program to provide teachers with authentic science research experiences similar to graduate students and post-docs who are trained in Columbia’s labs • Received initial funding from the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute

5. Benefits to Facultyand University • Creates a pipeline – The 149 teachers will have an impact on nearly 200,000 students • Brings a professional into the laboratory, at no cost. Productive during 2nd summer. Enriches the lab team. • Impact on community • Positive view of the University • Positive view of science • Educates public on current findings –scientifically literate to makeinformed decisions as adults

7. Program Demographics1990-2003 • 149 middle and high school science teachers • 85% public schools • 56% women • 46% minorities

8. Goals of the Program • Update lessons & labs to contain current science information • Increase inquiry-based instruction • Implement collaborative learning • Bring materials and resources back to the school • Educate students on many career opportunities in the sciences • Use Internet as a research tool • Introduce new technologies • Stay updated on findings in science (e.g. read scientific journals)

9. Instruments Administered • Pre-program survey • Post-program survey • Mentor survey • Spring implementation survey

10. Findings • Program has engaged teachers intellectually • Provided them with new avenues of professional & personal growth • Increased their appreciation for the process of scientific discovery • Enhanced their ability to converse the excitement and vitality of science to their students and fellow educators

11. 2003 Teacher Survey Data • 100% stated they have shared Columbia-derived information, materials and/or resources with other school personnel. • 100% reported increasing problem-solving activities in their classrooms. • 95% reported increasing hands-on activities in their classrooms and/or new laboratory exercises in response to their experiences at Columbia. • 84% reported developing new or revised content to lessons and/or labs since participating in Columbia’s Program*. • 78% reported initiating or increasing their use of computers since their participation in the program. • * 207 Lesson & lab plans referencing the National Science Standards on Program’s Web site

12. 2003 Teacher Survey Data (con’t) • 70% reported reading scientific journals more frequently than before. • 64% reported discussing science careers and related job requirements with their students. • 64% reported increased requirements for formal written reports and/or oral presentation requirements. • 47% reported assuming new leadership roles/responsibilities in their school/district/region.

13. Impacts on Students • In 1994, Columbia’s Summer Research Program began collecting quantitative student data from NYC public high schools - Treatment Group -- Students in science classes of Program teachers (Prior to program participation through completion of 2-year program) - Comparison Group -- Students in science classes of non-participating teachers from the same schools

14. Expected Outcomes • Increased student interest in science • Increased student achievement in science

17. 10,237 Comparison Students

19. New York City Mayor’s Award for Public Understanding of ScienceOctober 8, 2003 Awarded to Samuel C. Silverstein, M.D. for his work with the Summer Research Program for Science Teachers

20. National & International Recognition • Co-organizer of NSF-sponsored national conferences for RET programs • Lead P.I. for NSF-funded multi-site study of Science Work Experience Programs for Teachers (SWEPTs) - $1.6 million • Program replication in Singapore and Ghana

21. Funding Sources • Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation • Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation • JP Morgan Chase Foundation • Howard Hughes Medical Institute • Laura B. Vogler Foundation • National Institutes of Health • National Science Foundation • New York Times Company Foundation • Waksman Foundation for Microbiology

22. To Learn More About The Summer Research Program for Science Teachers www.ScienceTeacherProgram.org