Best Practices in Math and Science: Texas Instruments Vernier Science Technologies Dr. Martha A. Cantu Cindy Valdez

1. Best Practices in Math and Science: Texas Instruments Vernier Science TechnologiesDr. Martha A. CantuCindy Valdez

2. Quick Facts on Region • 4 of the poorest counties in nation • 90% Hispanic • 80% Speak language other than English • 25% Foreign born, primarily from Mexico • 38% Live in extreme poverty • 53% of adults have H.S. diploma • 10% of adults are college graduates

3. The Rio Grande Valley

4. 2007-08 Service Delivery • STUDENTS SERVED: 9921 • PARENTS SERVED: 5961 • EDUCATORS SERVED: 558

5. UTPA Math and Science Partners Texas Instruments Vernier Science Technologies AgileMind SureScore MARS STEM Center of South Texas

6. Our Guiding Principle: Collaboration with district and campus leaders, teachers, department heads, and grant partners is essential in identifying the most effective GEAR UP supplementary programs to meet the needs of a school.

7. TI Partnership Goals: • Increase student achievement in mathematics and close the achievement gap • Provide progressive professional development to teachers • Provide updated classroom resources and equipment to support instruction • Sustain the program past GEAR UP funding by creating local leaders in the school community and building teacher capacity.

8. Over 90 Algebra I Teachers Trained

9. TI Navigator System • Research shows that TI-Navigator, a classroom learning system, improves student engagement, understanding and performance • Research shows that graphing technology improves student math skills as well as their attitude toward math

10. TI Navigator System • TI Navigator system is designed to work with TI graphing calculators • Keeps students actively involved and on task • Use technology to explore and investigate modes of teaching secondary school mathematics • Enhance students’ understanding and problem solving ability

11. TI Navigator Features • Quick Poll- Get real-time feedback instantly to assess student understanding to identify common mistakes. • Screen Capture- Monitor students work to ensure they are on track and on task. • Class Analysis - Immediately show students results on assignments quizzes and tests. • Automatic Grading- grade reports are created • Activity Center – engaging and collaborative learning environment to help students deeper understanding.

13. TI Session Logs • Session Logs are a feature of the Navigator System to track student usage. • Session Logs are installed onto the hard drive of teachers computers and give us valuable information on the TI usage. • GEAR UP Coordinator will retrieve data from TI teachers. • GEAR UP Coordinator will turn in TI Session Logs monthly. • Information will be recorded monthly on the TI Session Campus Log to track usage, as required by the grant objectives.

14. Texas Instruments Support System • 8 Days of Navigator Professional Development • Campus TI Leader for Sustainability • Navigator Equipment Installation • Administrator Training • Regional Math Advisory Council • Sustainability Plan for Middle Schools • Collaboration with Regional Education Center • RGV Texas Instrument Implementation Coach • Collaboration for integrating services with other GEAR UP Partners such as AgileMind and SureScore

15. TI at Parent Conference

16. 9th Grade TAKS Preliminary Results • 13 schools showed an increase in 2007-08 Math scores over last year’s 9th graders with range of 1%-17% gains • 2,023 GEAR UP students are enrolled in advanced math course • 5,053 GEAR UP students are performing at grade level in math

17. Vernier Verneir creates cutting-edge technology to enliven and support your labs. 2007 Lab Pro 2008 model LabQuest

18. Vernier Partnership Goals: • Provide updated professional development to teachers aligned with state standards • Provide resources and update lab equipment in GEAR UP schools • Prepare students for State (TAKS) Exam • Engage students in hands-on learning • Provide students with state of the art equipment and access to resources

19. Over 90 Science Teachers Trained

20. Vernier Equipment Chemistry Bundle Lab Probe w/calculator attachment or LabQuest Interface 2 Stainless Steel Temperature Probes pH Sensor Gas Pressure Sensor Voltage Probe Conductivity Probe SpectroVIS spectrometer Vernier Drop Counter Electrode Support Stir Station Chemistry with Vernier Advanced Chemistry with Vernier Logger Pro Software Biology Bundle Lab Probes w/Calculator Attachment or LabQuest Interface Temperature Probes Carbon Dioxide Sensor Oxygen Sensors Dissolved Oxygen Sensors PH Sensors Conductivity Probes Gas Pressure Sensors Electrocardiogram Sensors

21. Students in Action with Vernier

22. Parents in a Science Classroom

23. Vernier Support System • Train 90 Biology/Chemistry Teachers • Utilize Vernier Lab Manuals for Supplemental Resources • Utilize Live Classroom Demonstrations for Professional Development • Offer Web-based Follow Up Training for Teachers

24. Teacher Selection for Trainings • GEAR UP Student Enrollment • Size of cohort • Historical Usage • Special Circumstances

25. Campus Expectations • Continuous attendance to all Professional Development • Collaboration with colleagues for successful implementation • Commitment of program usage • Cooperation in documenting services

26. Robotics Camp

27. Clinical Lab Science Camp

28. Engineering Camp

29. Physics Camp

30. Computer Science Camp

31. Marine Ecology Camp

36. Our Guiding Principle: Collaboration with district and campus leaders, teachers, department heads, and grant partners is essential in identifying the most effective GEAR UP supplementary programs to meet the needs of a school.

37. Contact Information The University of Texas-Pan AmericanGEAR UP Project1201 West University DriveEdinburg, Texas 78541-2999 Office: (956) 292-7501 Fax: (956) 292-7503 http://www.panam.edu/dept/gearup