SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

J. Wagner, et al. - Clemson University, Department of Geological Sciences

Based on several graduate courses for teachers which we have taught at Clemson over the past several years, the single greatest professional development need appears to be in the area of earth science content. Many earth science teachers are teaching out of field and only have minimal exposure to earth science themselves. Many never even had a single earth science course in college. Such teachers may have extensive training in pedagogy and professional leadership, but are put in positions where they have to teach material they do not understand very well. As a result the students are shortchanged. For many of the new and innovative pedagogical practices to work, teachers must be knowledgeable about the material they are to teach. Over the past few years, we have noticed the state of South Carolina emphasizing non-content based professional development activities at almost every level. While we acknowledge that many of these programs are useful, we argue that until earth science teachers are brought up-to-speed on the content they are teaching, such programs will not produce the desired results.

There are many standards-based, proven curriculum programs currently in existence which lend themselves very well to professional development opportunities that will not only give teachers experience working with earth science content, but will also provide exemplary materials for these teachers to take into their classrooms and share with their students. Field based professional development activities are also encouraged because they provide teachers with first hand knowledge and hands-on experience with geological processes in action. Hands-on experience with rocks and minerals, fossils, soil samples, weather instruments, telescopes, topographic and weather maps, satellite images and aerial photographs, seismographs, and environmental problems will also aid the teacher in providing more inquiry-based lessons for their students.

K-12 Review Team 1, Kitty Farnell, School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties
1) Provide workshops with naturalists (like Rudy Mancke) and field biologists (like Dr. Joe Culin) that help teachers understand relationships in nature.
2) Field studies to Barrier Island, SC or Skidaway Island, GA, or Earthshine, NC.
3) Co-teaching with a master teacher and their own students with hands-on activities.
4) Demonstration lessons with a master teacher using students to work with while teacher participants observe.
5) Teachers sharing "activities that work".
6) Attending state, regional, and national science teachers' association conventions.
7) Workshops on specific science topics conducted by experts to show how to simplify concepts without making them wrong and with hands-on activities that are teacher and student "friendly".
8) Meteorologist for weather activities.
9) Workshop on integration of science with language arts, math, and social studies.
10) Workshops on aligning curriculum to match standards.
11) Workshops on constructivists techniques in the science lab.
12) Workshops on how to integrate technology with the Science Standards. This should include use of Internet, TV/PC connectors, software to save websites and use in class, Powerpoint presentations, CD Writer, scanner to import diagrams, tables, graphs, etc. in student worksheets and tests, digital camera with hands-on opportunities to learn, not just demos.
13) Provide a curriculum coordinator at each elementary school.
14) Conduct summer institutes with compensation for teachers to work with master teachers partnering with college professors to identify, modify, and/or develop core lab activities to match the standards and sample test items to match them.
15) Workshops on lab activities in a certain grade to experience before teaching.
16) SC MAPS Workshops.
17) Grade 8 topic workshops: Paleontology with absolute and relative dating; Astronomy, Environmental Issues.
18) Workshops for high school teachers on (1) difficult topics like gene regulation, respiration, etc., (2) connecting topics such as evolution, genetics, (3) using process skills and inquiry techniques in labs, (4) constructivist techniques, (5) use of technology such as CBLs and graphing calculators for collecting and analyzing data with statistical techniques; (6) ways of teaching concepts instead of only specifics (7) lab techniques (making solutions, microscale, and using equipment); (8) Identifying core labs aligned with standards (8) teachers sharing strategies with each other and tests, worksheets, demo ideas, and labs.

K-12 Review Team 2, Lorraine Conrad, Richland School District Two
1) Review materials available and provide a list of materials that meet the standards. Indicate which objectives the materials will meet. For instance, if there are four units of study at third grade, a list of materials to meet each unit would be listed and any objective not met would be noted.
2) Provide training for teachers in materials that meet the standards. Training should include content background as well as methods.
3) Provide training for pre-service professors in materials that meet the standards so they can teach the pre-service teachers.
4) Provide training for teachers in how to write open-ended response items to prepare our students for the PACT test.
5) Fund follow-up Great Expectations type grants so K-16 will continue to discuss the continuum of science.
6) Fund projects that show how science can be integrated with other subjects (K-5) and meet the standards. Show how parts of science instruction fit within the Cunningham Model for reading instruction. Elementary teachers cannot teach all the isolated standards within the school day.
7) Fund projects that give high school teachers opportunities to share methods to meet standards. Provide institutes for teachers so they do not have further than one hour to drive. Many of our teachers can not leave their families at night so we need to plan for their staff development with that in mind.

K-12 Review Team 3, Colette Dryden, Satchel Ford Elementary School
1) Pre-service teachers need more science content offered that is practical to the teacher. (How to plan lesson, obtain materials, set up class). This should be done by in-service teachers … not professors. We suggest you hire recognized, outstanding teachers to teach college level students regarding these matters. Undergraduates need more hands-on experiences as well as the "how-to" of developing hands-on lessons. It would be beneficial for pre-service teachers in the elementary program to work with a confident science teacher in a school as a science practicuum. This should be done as an additional requirement in the Science for Elementary Teachers class.
2) In-Service teachers need access to resources. More courses should be made available to teach principles and content behind hands-on lessons. We suggest the courses should be done in the same manner as the Center for Science Education uses in graduate courses. The instructors model the learning cycle in their lessons. These courses should be subject specific (rocks & minerals, weather, etc.).

Comments submitted individually:

Maritom Sinquefield Hardy, Science Lab Teacher
Laurens Primary School
301 Henry Street
Laurens, SC 29360

Phone (864) 984 3067
Fax (864) 984 5749
Email mshardy@prtcnet.com

As an Elementary Science Lab teacher and Science Resource Person (at Laurens Primary - Pre-K through the Second Grades - Including Montessori and Traditional Classroom Styles) from the Upper Savannah Science and Math Hub of Lander University (Curriculum Lead Teacher #4), I would like to make a few suggestions that would help in implementing the integration of the Science Standards for grades Pre-K to 3.

The teachers that I work with come to me truly afraid that they don't know enough to teach their students effectively. Because of this I am available to see if they need any assistance with their units related to science. I try to let them see how every subject that they teach can be integrated through "hands on" science activities.

I hope these suggestions help a little. It would surely help me if we could get just a few of these ideas running. Thanks for giving me a chance to voice my opinions.

(1) If teachers could have "mini workshops" throughout the year or during the initial inservice training using their (what ever they teach) long term curriculum and the Science Standards... they could see how easily that their curriculum could be integrated into a more meaningful learning process. To think using the science processes would be a means to reach all of the different levels of "higher" learning. Trained CLI's, like myself, could work within their own school or in others across the state showing their peers how to integrate science into the Language Arts and Mathematic programs using the latest methods.
(2) "Peer Observations" throughout the year in different districts where Science is being implemented through the integration into the total curriculum would be very positive for all students in education, as well as teachers in the field. Reading about how science is taught may be all right for some, but seeing it put into practice is the "clincher"! Teachers could be paid for the time and expense of travel outside of their classroom with substitutes filling in for them as they observe teachers implementing their programs across the state. Again, I would be very selective in where these teachers or students do their observation. Using the Hubs in the state would be my first criteria of selecting Master teachers to observe. The Hubs (like the Upper Savannah Science and Math Hub at Lander) have trained teachers to use their curriculum to be integrated into all of the areas of learning.
(3) "Resources" are always a must in any Science Lab. However, if the teacher doesn't know where to begin purchasing their resources, it can become a problem in itself. Roper Mountain Science Center (Science Plus Institute from Furman University), Erskine College (Elementary Science Leadership Program from Clemson University and the CPU courses from Erskine), Clemson University (Great Expectations and Butterfly Project) and our district's Adair Outdoor Education Center have been my "keys" through a successful selection of materials. They have funded through our district's help courses that not only provided hands on training, but also the monies or material for the supplies needed to instruct effectively.
(4) "Grants" have helped me in the past, but with so many applying for grants, it becomes harder and harder to expect monies or materials from grants. If schools that have science labs had packages allotted for their programs to spend on a yearly bases... then teachers could spend the time that they have doing the other two suggestions. It's time consuming and frustrating to try to develop meaningful programs without knowing if you have the funding available for your programs. It usually comes out of one's own pocket when the time get's short.
(5) "Share-A-Thons" are wonderful! However, paper to print out ideas become expensive. The use of the Internet would be a great solution to this problem. And to have "Free" use to the Internet would be a bonus for teachers. However, economics doesn't help the second part of this suggestion. Topics like "YOUR LONG RANGE LESSON PLANS RELATED TO THE STANDARDS" could be shared. Teachers always need new and exciting ideas that work. Teachers feel pressed for time when it comes to ADEPT, etc. There are about 5 teachers that I write to almost daily on the Internet, not to mention college professors like Joe Culin, for ideas on how to put a particular idea into something workable for my students. Teaching over 222 second graders can become "mind-boggling" when one begins a school year in a Science Lab situation.
(6) Funding for After School and Before School Programs. Not only is one time consumed from these programs, but one's energy and finances. To arrange presenters or to travel to locations to learn about different concepts you take monies again from your own pocket to cover the expenses. We have programs that attract students from Pre-K to the second grade. After they leave my school they go to another elementary school (Grades 3 through 4) that have just begun having similar programs which I helped to initiate... The students meet and work on projects around the school and learn how to care for their environment. The Mad Scientists and the Cicada Clubs have been recognized nationally through the DHEC Program "Champions of the Environment" and the Renew America Internet. The Cicada Club won for me the recognition of being the 1996 Primary Teacher of the Year from the National Entomological Society. So things can become more than one ever expected from working with children during your time off.

Participants in the Review Process of the 1998 SC Science Standards

Steering Committee
Joseph D. Culin, Project Coordinator
Department of Entomology
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634-0365

Phone (864) 656 5041
Fax (864) 656 5069
Email jculin@clemson.edu

John R. Wagner, Associate Professor
Department of Geological Sciences
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634-1908

Phone (864) 656 5024
Fax (864) 656 1041
Email jrwgnr@clemson.edu
 
 
Nancy Ferguson
Department of Crop & Environmental Science
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634-0359
 
Phone (864) 656 3510
Fax (864) 656 3443
Email nfrgsn@clemson.edu
 
Vivian Haley-Zitlin
Department of Food Science
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634-0371
 
Phone (864) 656 7716
Fax (864) 656 0331
Email vivianh@clemson.edu
 
Tom Peters
Anderson, Oconee, Pickens Math & Science Hub
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634-1901
 
Phone (864) 656 1863
Fax (864) 656 1864
Email tpeters@clemson.edu
 
Elizabeth Edmondson
Anderson, Oconee, Pickens Math & Science Hub
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634-1901
 
Phone (864) 656 1863
Fax (864) 656 1864
Email elizabe@clemson.edu
 

Project Meeting Participants, July 1998
K-12
Conrad, Lorraine
Richland District Two
6831 Brookfield Rd.
Columbia, SC29206

Phone 803 738 3270
Fax 803 738 3297
Email lconrad@richland2.k12.sc.us
 
Eaves, Gloria
Belton-Honea Path High School
11000 Belton-Honea Path Highway
Honea Path, SC 29654
 
Phone 864-369-7382
Fax 864-369-4011
Email N/A
 
Essig, Lynn
Darlington Jr. High
100 Magnolia Street
Darlington, SC 29114
 
Phone 843-398-5088
Fax 843-398-5091
Email 1lynne@darlington.k12.sc.us
 
Farnell, Kitty
School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties
1020 Dutch Fork Road
Ballentine, SC 29002
 
Phone 803-732-8012 ext 192
Fax 803-732-8017
Email kfarnell@lex5.k12.sc.us
 
Floyd, Ann R.
Royall Elementary
1400 Woods Road
Florence , SC 29501
 
Phone 843-664-8167
Fax 843-669-2860
Email N/A
 
Fralick, Virginia
Oakbrook Middle School
4704 Old Fort Road
Ladson, SC 29456
 
Phone 803-873-9750
Fax 803-821-3931
Email N/A
 
Hartsoe, Barbara
Gold Hill Elementary School
1000 Dave Gibson Boulevard
Fort Mill, SC 29715
 
Phone 803-548-8250
Fax 803-548-8243
Email hartsoeb@www.fort-mill.k12.sc.us
 
Hawkins, Amy
T.L Hanna High School
2600 Hwy 81
NorthAnderson, SC 29621
 
Phone 864-260-5110 ext. 5294
Fax 864-260-5213
Email N/A
 

Kowalski, Larry
Project Challenge
2005 North Main Street
Anderson, SC 29621
 
Phone 864-260-5086
Fax 864-964-2690
Email N/A
 
 
Lake, Anne
Liberty Elementary School
251 North Hillcrest Street
Liberty, SC 29657
 
Phone 864-850-3520
Fax 864-850-3536
Email lakeag@pickens.k12.sc.us
 
Poston, Deborah
Fairfield Primary School
175 Medley Rd
Winnsboro, SC 29180
 
Phone 803-635-5594
Fax 803-635-6578
Email N/A
 
Sinclair, Linda
SC Department of Education
Room 507 Rutlege Building
1429 Senate Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone803-734-0887
Fax 803-734-4605
Email lsinclai@sde.state.sc.us
 
 
Westberry, Sue
Starr Elementary
7400 Highway 81 North
Starr, SC 29684
 
Phone 864-352-6154
Fax 864-352-6158
Email westbers@anderson3.k12.sc.us
 
Post-secondary
Bullock, Jerald
Charleston Southern University
1201 Wingo Hall
59200 University Boulevard
Charleston SC 29423-8087
Phone 843-863-757
Fax 864-863-708
Email jbullock@csuniv.edu

 

Coke, Carol
PO Box 117
Six Mile, SC 29682

Phone 868-5472 (Home)


Edge, Ronald
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208

Phone 803-777-6830
Fax 803-777-3065
Email redge@sc.edu
 

Farmer, Michael
Greenville Technical College
PO Box 5616
Pleasantburg Drive
Greenville, SC 29606

Phone 864-250-8016
Fax 864-250-8549
Email farmer@gvltech.edu
 
Higgins, Libby
Greenville Technical College
PO Box 5616
Pleasantburg Drive
Greenville, SC 29606-5616

Phone 864-250-8095
Fax 864-250-8095
Email higgineth@gvltec.edu

 

King, Peter
Francis Marion University
Department of Biology
PO Box 100547
Florence,SC 29501

Phone 843-661-1399
Fax 843-661-4616
Email pking@fmarion.edu

 

Roop, Tom
Francis Marion University
Biology Department
PO Box 100547
Florence, SC 29501

Phone 843-661-1404
Fax 843-661-4616
Email N/A

Slone, J. Henry
Francis Marion University
Department of Biology
PO Box 100547
Florence, SC 29501-0547

Phone 843-661-5444
Fax 843-661-1309
Email jhslone@fmarion.edu
 

Industry Representatives
Hipps, Michelle
Kemit Electronics
PO Box 5928
Greenville, SC 29606

Phone 864-963-6746
(note: Ms. Hipps is no longer at Kemit)

Jaskwhich, Mike
Chemurgy
PO Box 3977
Greenville, SC 29608

Phone 864-232-7697

Higher Education Reviewers
Dr. Mary Crowe
Assistant Professor of Biology
Coastal Carolina University
P.O. Box 261954
Conway, South Carolina 29528-6054

Phone (843) 349 2236
Fax (843) 349 2926
Email crowe@coastal.edu

Dr. Sharon L. Gilman
Center for Marine and Wetland Studies
Coastal Carolina University
P.O. Box 261954
Conway, South Carolina 29528-6054

Phone (843) 349 2248
Fax (843) 349 2926
Email sgilman@coastal.edu

David P. Hildreth, Ph.D.
Department of Biology & Department of Education
Francis Marion University
PO Box 100547
Florence, SC 29501

Phone (843) 661 4623
Fax (843) 661 4616
Email dhildret@fmarion.edu

Dr. Peter King
Department of Biology
Francis Marion University
PO Box 100547
Florence, SC 29501

Phone (843) 661 1399
Fax (843) 661 4616
Email pking@fmarion.edu

Dr. Henry Slone
Francis Marion University
Department of Biology
PO Box 100547
Florence, SC 29501-0547

Phone 843-661-5444
Fax 843-661-1309
Email jhslone@fmarion.edu
 

Dr. Jerry A. Waldvogel
Biology Instruction & Agricultural Education
Box 341902
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634-1902

Phone (864) 656 3825
Fax (864) 656 3839
Email waldvoj@clemson.edu

Julia Wilcox
Senior Instructor of Biology
Coastal Carolina University
PO Box 261954
Conway, South Carolina 29528-6054

Phone (843) 349 2239
Fax (843) 349 2926
Email wilcox@coastal.edu

John R. Wagner
Department of Geological Sciences
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634-1908

Phone (864) 656 5024
Fax (864) 656 1041
Email jrwgnr@clemson.edu

Erik R. Caldwell, Visiting Instructor
Department of Geological Sciences
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634-1908

Phone (864) 656 7655
Fax (864) 656 1041
Email caldwel@clemson.edu
 

Joseph L. Tinsley
Department of Geological Sciences
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634-1908

Phone (864) 656 7655
Fax (864) 656 1041
Email tinslej@clemson.edu
 
 
Richard D. White
Department of Geological Sciences
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634-1908
 
Phone (864) 656 4579
Fax (864) 656 1041
Email whiter@clemson.edu
 
Mike Farmer
Department of Physics
Greenville Technical College
PO Box 5616
Greenville, South Carolina 29606
 
Phone (864) 250-8016
Fax (864) 250-8549
Email farmer@gvltech.edu
 
Dr. James E. Privett
Professor of Chemistry
USC Sumter
200 Miller Road
Sumter, SC 29150-2498
 
Phone (803) 775 6341
Fax (803) 775 803-775-2180
Email jamesp@ftc-i.net
 
Dr. Lisa A. Zuraw
Chemistry Department
The Citadel
171 Moultrie Street
Charleston, SC 29409
 
Phone (843) 953 4976
Fax (843) 953 7084
Email zurawl@citadel.edu
 
Dr. John Goodwin
Department of Chemistry & Physics
Coastal Carolina University
PO Box 261954
Conway, South Carolina 29528-6054
 
Phone (843) 349 2295
Fax (843) 349 2729
Email jgoodwin@coastal.edu
 
Dr. Barry M. Preedom
Department of Physics
University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina 29208
 
Phone (843) 349 2295
Fax (843) 349 3065
Email preedom@sc.edu
 
K-12 Reviewer Team Members for the 1998 SC Science Standards
Review Team 1
Team Coordinator
Kitty Farnell, Coordinator of Science Education
School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties
PO Box 938, Ballentine, SC 29002
 
Phone (803) 732-8012 Ext 192
Fax (803) 732 8017
Email kfarnell@lex5.k12.sc.us

Team Members
Dr. Lyn Long Assistant Principal, Chapin Elementary School
Joy Haynie 1st grade, River Springs Elementary School
Joye Rush 2nd grade, Irmo Elementary School
Easter Dickerson 2nd grade, Dutch Fork Elementary School
Kathy Lee 3rd grade, River Springs Elementary School
Martha Talbert 3rd grade, Lake Murray Elementary School
Lisa Garcia 4th grade, River Springs Elementary School
Bette Seastrunk 5th grade, Nursery Road Elementary School
Susan Swails 5th grade, Seven Oaks Elementary School
Jean Cook 5th grade, Nursery Road Elementary School
Paulette Moses 5th grade, River Springs Elementary School
Bonita Guram 6th grade, Chapin Middle School
Mary Barbara Kleckley 6th grade, CrossRoads Middle School
Jeanne McKinney 7th grade, Dutch Fork Middle School
Theresa Morris 7th grade, Chapin Middle School
Debbie Goldston 8th grade, Chapin Middle School
Susan Mazur 7 & 8th grade, Dutch Fork Middle School
Al Gates Biology, Dutch Fork High School
Erin Dickert Biology, Irmo High School
Dr. Glenda George Biology, Irmo High School
Karen Stratton Chemistry/Physics, Dutch Fork High School
Elizabeth Ann Sutton Physics, Dutch Fork High School

Review Team 2
Team Coordinator
Lorraine Conrad, Science Coordinator
Richland School District Two
6831 Brookfield Rd
Columbia, SC 29002
 
Phone (803) 787 1910
Fax (803) 787 7374
Email lconrad@richland2.k12.sc.us
 
Team Members
Audrey Andreski, Forest Lake Elementary School
Allison Coleman, Conder Elementary School
Jackie S. Cribb, Keels Elementary School
Roberta Friedland, North Springs Elementary School
Kathy Lindsey, Bethel-Hanberry Elementary School
Lori C. Sexton, Pontiac Elementary School
Elaine Drapeau, E.L. Wright Middle School
Laura Gibbons, Dent Middle School
Arlene Marturano, Summit Parkway Middle School
Carolyn Murphy, Blythwood Middle School
Cheryl Timberlake, Summit Parkway Middle School
Regis Goode, Ridge View High School
Joy Heiser, Richland Northeast High School
Sid Locke, Spring Valley High School
Timothy O'Keefe, Center for Inquiry
 
 
Review Team 3
Team Coordinator
Colette Dryden
Satchel Ford Elementary School
5901 Satchel Ford Road
Columbia, SC 29206
 
Phone (803) 738 7209
Fax (803) 7387218
Email cdryden@richlandone.org
 

Team Members
Stacy Allendorf, Satchel Ford Elementary School
Deborah M. Varga, Satchel Ford Elementary School
Martha-Banks Wright, Satchel Ford Elementary School
Jeanna Hoffman, Satchel Ford Elementary School
 
 
Individual K-12 Reviewers
Maritom Sinquefield Hardy, Science Lab Teacher
Laurens Primary School
301 Henry Street
Laurens, SC 29360
 
Phone (864) 984 3067
Fax (864) 984 5749
Email mshardy@prtcnet.com
 
 
Paula Weinspach
Chapin High School
Physical Science
Physics for the Technologies
160 Shawn Road
Chapin, SC 29036
 
Phone (803) 345 2246
Fax (803) 345 7111
Email pweinspa@lex.5.k12.sc.us
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