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Arizona Team Tempe Union High School District #213. Introductions Individual pictures or a team picture There will be a portrait gallery in the World Cafe. Dr. Cecilia Johnson Tempe Union High School District Director of curriculum, instruction and assessment Laura Zinke
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IntroductionsIndividual pictures or a team pictureThere will be a portrait gallery in the World Cafe • Dr. Cecilia Johnson Tempe Union High School District Director of curriculum, instruction and assessment • Laura Zinke McClintock High School P.P.A. Director • Debbie Dodge McClintock High School Science Teacher • Carlos Contreras Intel Corporation Education Manager – Arizona, Texas and Colorado
Tempe Union High School District #213 • High school district covers grade 9-12 • Student enrollment of 13,406 students • Total number of teachers: 663 • Seven schools • District has made adequate yearly progress for NCLB (No Child Left Behind) • State assessment • 1 performing • 1 performing + • 2 Highly performing • 3 excelling
Educational Environment • High schools are encouraged to leverage their strengths • Each high school has unique capability • District office flexible • High School science graduation requirements is same as state • Two years: 1 credit life and 1 credit physical science • Starting with class of 2012 graduation requirements will increase to 3 years • Science high stakes assessment begins in spring 08 • High School math graduation requirements same as state • Two years math + High stakes exam • Starting with class of 2012 graduation requirements will increase to 4years • University entrance requirements • 4 years of math and 4 years of science
Science Fairs What is the status of Science Fairs in your area? • Tempe union started independent research classes in 08-09 school year • Two teachers participated in Educator Academy 08 • About twenty students from research class participated at the AZSEF (Arizona Science and Engineering Fair) • Three of the students won AZSEF grand prize award and will be attending ISEF 09 • One of the Ed Academy attendees won teacher of they year at the state Fair (AZSEF) • Award given is a reflection of both quality and number of students participated in fair • Two of the high schools had 2009 STS finalist
Science Fairs What are the three biggest obstacles you face? • Instructional Time –There is no dedicated “school time” for science fair projects unless teacher works independently with students • A majority of the projects that have entered regional fair are associated with internship/summer job experience at a local lab facility or institution • The students are very involved in other extra curricular activities. Lots of competition for their time • Sustainability/Resources – Independent study class needs to have low teacher/student ratio. Given current fiscal environment, this is a challenge
Background • Arizona held its second state wide science fair • The state is transitioning to a state affiliated fair that is supported by regional affiliated fair • High schools that have adopted research classes have been successful in science competition • Arizona students at ISEF have done very well