Transforming Experiences: Interdisciplinary Teams of GK-12 Fellows Linking Teacher Professional Development, Middle School Implementation and International Collaboration

NSF Graduate Fellowships, 2008 - 2013

University of Colorado, Denver, will send 8 graduate students in mathematics and the sciences (GK-12 Fellows) into classrooms in Englewood and Jefferson County schools starting fall of 2008 to help build a learning community and assist science and mathematics teachers.

This project is made possible with support from a five-year grant by the National Science Foundation. Working with grades 6-8, GK-12 Fellows will focus on many facets of education in the middle grades in cooperation with a science and mathematics teacher with supervision by Mathematics and Science faculty from UC Denver.

GK-12 Fellows for 2008 will:

Spend time each week in the middle school on enrichment/development activities and on preparation and reporting activities (15 hours per week total)
Attend an introductory workshop during the summer of 2008
Participate as a member of a school-based Learning Community, including a science and math fellow, teacher and faculty member
Participate in monthly seminars for all participants
Assist in the instruction of one science or mathematics course during the summer 2009 as part of the RM-MSMSP Summer Institute

The Fellows activities might also include:

Assist in school laboratories
Assist in developing curriculum modules using inquiry based instructional methods
Design research activities and provide demonstrations
Work one-on-one with students explaining concepts
Participate in after-school enrichment activities
Serve as mentors and role models
Bring their scientific research experience to the schools and class lessons

Principal Investigator:

Mike Jacobson - Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

Co-Principal Investigators:

Mark Anderson - Chemistry
Carole Basile - Curriculum and Pedagogy
Bryan Wee - Curriculum and Pedagogy & Geography and Environmental Science