WNY Noyce Scholars Partnership Phase II: Advancing STEM Educators

1. WNY Noyce Scholars Partnership Phase II: Advancing STEM Educators Dr. Catherine Lange, Science Education NSF grant -1035360 This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1035360. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. • Project Progress • 5 Awards made in 2014 • 2011-2014: • -18 STEM teaching candidates supported in Phase II • 5 Mathematics • 2 Physics • 6 Earth Science • 1 Chemistry • 4Biology • Programs at Buffalo State with funded Noyce candidates: • -B.S. Mathematics with 7-12 teacher Certification • -Mathematics (7-12) Post-baccalaureate teacher certification • - M.S. Ed. Science Education • - M.S.Ed. Physics with NYSED Transitional B Certification • - M.S.Ed. (Childhood Ed 1-6) Including Initial Teacher Certification (MIITC) Project Research Teacher Effectiveness Study: RTOP The Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol (RTOP) was developed as a classroom observation instrument to provide a standardized means for detecting the degree to which K-20 classroom instruction in mathematics or science is reformed. RTOP was developed, refined, and validated over a period of two years (1998-2000). In its final form, the RTOP is a highly reliable instrument with strong predictive validity. Two physics Noyce Scholars have been RTOPed and videotaped. Pre-post FCI scores have also been collected. The RTOP scores ranged from 62 to 80. The average scores was 68 ± 8.2 over the two participants. Both participants showed growth throughout the observation and mentoring process Noyce Program Impact A large number of Noyce Scholars from Buffalo State's Phase I Noyce project continue to teach in high-need schools after fulfilling their Noyce award obligation. Date are being collected to explore the nature of this phenomenon including Noyce project impact in terms of preparation and support for teaching in high-need environments. All Phase I scholars are being contacted to determine current teaching status and solicit factors that influenced their career paths including reasons for leaving teaching (if applicable), reasons for shifting to districts serving populations that are not high-need, and reasons for remaining in schools and/or districts that serve a large high-need population. • Buffalo State Phase II • Noyce Project • Investigators: • Jane R. Cushman • Catherine L. Lange • Daniel L. MacIsaac • David C. Wilson (PI) • The goals of the Phase II Noyce project are two-fold: To increase the number of • qualified and prepared pre-college teachers in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, • and math (STEM) in the United States, and to improve U.S. pre-college students’ understanding of STEM subjects. To meet these goals, the project has developed the following objectives: • • recruit 35 well-qualified STEM majors and degree holders not previously • in the STEM teaching profession to further academic training at Buffalo State in programs leading to New York State STEM teaching credentials; • • actively support the professional development of Noyce scholars by involving them in education-related experiences in STEM departments within Buffalo State and in local and national education organizations and conferences; and • • systematically study former BSC Noyce scholars’ teaching behaviors and • Dispositions. Buffalo State Noyce History Over a five year period spanning April, 2004 to late September 2009, the Western New York Noyce Scholars Project for New Science and Mathematics Teachers supported forty-two individuals seeking initial science, technology or mathematics teacher certification with scholarships and stipends of between four and seventeen thousand dollars totaling just over four hundred and fourteen thousand dollars. These included twenty-one women and twenty-one men, and ten under-represented minority students in STEM teaching fields. All of these individuals had service obligations requiring either two or four years of full time employment in High Needs (disadvantaged) school districts, and just over half of these recipients teachers have certified as teachers and are satisfying or have satisfied their service obligations as of this date. Some of the local educational authorities these teacher have been employed by include: Buffalo Public Schools (employing several scholars), Charlotte Valley Central School District, Cheektowaga-Sloan Union Free School District, Holy Angels High School, Hornell City School District, Lansing Central School District, Oakfield Alabama Central School District, Springfield Public Schools, and the Western New York Maritime Charter School. Noyce Scholar Christine Szafran teaching at Lafayette HS Noyce Scholar Chris Van Loon teaching at Lafayette HS Noyce Scholar Francesca Sylvester teaching at Lafayette HS Summer physics class for teachers Noyce Scholar Cathy Amdur teaching at Lafayette HS 2013-2014 Noyce Scholar Ms. Emily McAndrews is currently in the Master of Science , Science Education 7-12 program. Emily writes “I worked at Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper through the Americorps program in 2011. I coordinated volunteers for the Niagara River Riparian Restoration Program, funded by the Niagara River Greenway, to add more natural, native greenspace along the Niagara and her tributaries. I worked with volunteers both young and old to plant native trees, plants, and shrubs and along the way I educated people about the importance of doing so.” 2013-2014 Noyce Scholar Ms. Nadezda Mease is currently in the Master of Science, Science Education 7-12 program. Nadezda writes “Science and mathematics are fields that can be interesting and exciting and my goal is to make it that way for my students. Then need to receive a positive experience in the classroom, even if they cannot get it at home or in the media. I want to make my students realize that no matter what background you came from, no matter what others think, they can achieve. Maybe they will not achieve as much as someone else, but for some people a little victory is worth so much more than the top of Mount Everest for others.” 2013-2014 Noyce Scholar 2013-2014 Noyce Scholar 2013-2014 Noyce Scholar Ms. Lindsey Strauss is currently in the Master of Science , Science Education 7-12 program. Lindsey writes “Science classrooms are a unique place where students can learn about the building blocks of how everything works around them….While I could have gone in many directions with my chemistry degree, my leadership experiences through Young Life, tutoring, and trips abroad have pointed me straight in the direction of education. Not only would such a high-needs school benefit from a Buffalo State educated teacher, but I would also learn invaluable lessons in such an educational environment.” Ms. Felicia Tirado is currently in the Bachelor of Science, Mathematics 7-12 program. Felicia writes “I started my time at Buffalo State taking Calculus I. It was in this class where I had my realization that I wanted to teach mathematics. I believe that the key to our future lies in the science, math, and technology taught to today's youth. I want to express my love for mathematics to middle and high school students. I want to help them understand that they too, can love math.” Mr. Steven Wilson is currently in the Master of Science, Science Education 7-12 program. Steven writes “I believe I can help students understand that science is an important part of our community and world. Whatever science topic is taught (weather in earth science to the physics and momentum of walking), science knowledge is applicable to everyday life… Effective science instruction can at the least, provide an aptitude toward learning, intriguing them about the world around them.”