IISME Research Collaborative (IRC)

Kristen HarrisonFacilitator

The IRCThe IISME Research Collaborative is a group of teachers working together to increase the amount and rigor of research- and inquiry-based science opportunities in their classrooms, schools, and districts.

Teacher Participants

Year 1(2010-2011)

Year 2(2011-2012)

Year 3(2012-2013)

GOAL

Teachers 12 22 30Schools 9 13 18

Results –Clubs, Projects, & Courses

Year 1 Year 2

New Science Clubs 2 (+200%)ŧ 4 (+133%) ŧŧ

Club Participation 86 (+76%)* 209 (+118%)**

Student Research Projects 69 (+60%)¥ 591 (+66%) ¥¥

New Research Courses 1 1 (+100%)

ŧ Up from 1 to 3ŧ ŧ Up from 3 to 7

*Up from 49 to 86

**Up from 96 to 209

¥ Up from 43 to 69¥¥ Up from 357 to 591

Results cont. – Classroom InquiryStudent Benefit

Year 1 Year 2

Teachers new to inquiry 680 622

Teachers doing more inquiry 100 1136

Total 780 1758

Why does it work? CHOOSE TO JOIN – Teachers are not told to participate.

DEDICATION – Teachers want to do more “real science.”

INDEPENDENCE – Teachers choose goals/methods and can form teams.

ACCOUNTABILITY – Teachers share goals and updates in a supportive environment.

Why does it work? Continued

MEETINGS – Useful and practical content that meets teacher need, no fluff

MENTORS – Access to mentors with lots of experience

DIVERSITY – Variety of districts and teaching environments

SHARING RESOURCES – Best practices, curriculum, recruitment strategies, tracking documents, equipment and contacts

“GO TO” PERSON - For questions

Who Participates? High School Science, Engineering, and Industrial

Arts teachers

Range No Experience Lots of Experience

Wide range offers: great collaboration, fresh ideas, experienced teachers share resources

Recruiting TeachersOUTREACH – Directly to targeted teachers

RECOMMENDATIONS – Welcome and sought

INVITATION – Voluntary participation

PREPARATION – Invite to STEM fair event to stimulate and observe interest.

CAPACITY – Grow number of teacher members from each school site.

Teacher ProjectsPrimary Goal – Teacher(s) select goal.

Increase number and rigor of classroom inquiry.Develop or grow a science research club/course.Support student-driven research projects.

Facilitator coaches to finalize project objectives, methods, and budget.Timeline - Finish plan before school year begins.

IRC Project TemplateIISME Research Collaborative - Project Template

School Name and address:Lead Teacher Name and contact information:Other Teachers involved and contact information: Main Goal: Increase student participation in student driven research projects (science fair) and/or Increase inquiry based activities in classrooms and/or building a science/research club Objectives: What specific things do you want to achieve this academic year? Write the objectives in a way that will help you measure whether the objective has been met or not. Think SMART (specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, and timely)! One of the following objectives must include be included in some way; 1) students reading and using current research developments or 2) participating in the design of an experiment. Make sure to include 1) the number of students participating, 2) teacher time commitment, and 3) student time commitment. If your main goal is to increase inquiry-based activities in the classroom, please include a number, description, and estimated rigor of the inquiry/research activities for the teachers choosing to infuse activities into their existing classes. Method: How do you think you are going to meet the objectives listed above? These may change as you learn more through the collaborative. Who will need to be involved? When will the objectives be met (could include a timetable)? How will you know when each objective has been met (measure)?

IRC SupportProfessional Learning CommunityFacilitatorTeacher ConsultantsMeetingsOnline CommunityFunding

Professional Learning CommunityThe IRC is a group of teachers working together. Members share –

Best practicesResources and equipmentExperiencesIdeas Contacts

Intel Teachers Engage – Hosts Content/Resources

IRC FacilitatorPRIMARY CONTACTACTION PLANS – Helps craft/finalize each teacher’s planMEETINGS – Plans agenda with consultants, leads

sessions, handles logisticsONLINE COMMUNITY – Posts and organizes contentDATA TRACKER/REPORTER – IRC reports for funders and

districtsBUDGET MANAGER – Oversees budget and distribution

IRC MeetingsMEETINGS – Four per year, each two-hoursLOCATIONS – At IRC member schools, rotate

Part One – Whole group meetingPart Two – Sub-group meeting by focus/content area

CONTENT TARGETS – Meet member needsPlan future

Upcoming needsNext meeting topic and resources

Teacher ConsultantsEXPERIENCED – Extensive expertise with classroom

inquiry, science clubs, and/or supporting student projects

MEETINGS – Work with facilitator to set agenda and lead breakout sessions

SUPPORT – Answer teachers’ questions (phone and email)

PARTICIPATION – Members with their own projects supported by the IRC

Content:Meeting AgendasAnnouncementsInquiry Curriculum –

Tagged by SubjectClub Resources –

Recruiting, Activities, Procedures

Research Projects – Sample Timelines, Session Content, Procedures, Competition info.

Websites, Grant Opportunities, etc.

Online CommunityIntel Teacher’s Engage Over 80 documents viewed 232+ times

Sustainability-INDEPENDENCE – Goal of independence by Year 3INFORMATION – Facilitated information sharing

Teachers from one group help lead another groupUse online communityBring groups together sometimes

EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES – Share equipmentShare advice on inexpensive sourcesPartner with internship programs & other organizationsCompanies donation days

SPREAD THE WORK – Within schools

ChallengesIRC – Teachers are busy!Wide variety of teacher experience and needGrowing teacher capacity at school site

STUDENT PROJECTS – Recruiting studentsKeeping students engagedMatching students with mentors/special resources

Questions?

Kristen Harrisonkharrison@iisme.org

Documents on Intel Teacher’s Engage site, search for Kristen Harrison and Amanda Alonzo