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Science for All Children A Guide to Improving Elementary Science Education in Your School District (1997) / Chapter Skim
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Montgomery County, Maryland
Pages 138-145

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
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From page 138...
... The overall minority enrollment is approximately 43 percent, and studentsfrom more than 60 foreign countries are [earning English as a second language. The push for science education reform in Montgomery County began in the 1980s, when a group of community leaders expressed concern about the elementary science program.
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From page 139...
... They returned home and helcl their own two-week summer institute in inquiry-centered pedagogy for a cadre of 40 lead teachers as the first phase of their professional development program. This initial training was bolstered by monthly meetings held throughout the school year.
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From page 140...
... From this process, the lead teachers selected curriculum modules from a range of national curriculum programs, including Science and Technology for Children (STC) , Insights, Creative Publications, and the Full Option Science System.
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From page 141...
... The plan is to train all Montgomery County elementary science teachers by the 1997-98 school year. Working in conjunction with Thomas DuMars, NSF project specialist for the county, the lead teachers conduct a week-long summer institute similar to the one they attencled.
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From page 142...
... "Science is inquiry," says Ramon Lopez, the (Erector of education and outreach programs for the American Physical Society anti the creator of the program. "Give scientists materials and they are off asking questions en cl experimenting.
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From page 143...
... It was a perfect example of professionals interacting and providing expertise from their respective areas." Establishing a Science Materials Support Center As part of Montgomery County's commitment to teachers, program leaders establishecl a science materials support center within the first two years of the program. As in many school districts around the country, it was a challenge to find a space large enough for such a facility.
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From page 144...
... that the support of secretaries and building service workers is critical in getting the kits in and out of schools on time. To help enlist this support, DuMars implementecl training for these in(lividuals (luring the summer institute anti maintains direct contact with them throughout the year.
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From page 145...
... Teachers must assist materials support center staff by returning their kits on time. Involvement of principals and building staff is critical to the success of the program.
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Key Terms

  • lead teachers
  • professional development
  • materials support
  • elementary science
  • support center

  • summer institute
  • science materials
  • curriculum modules
  • elementary school
  • curriculum materials

  • school teachers
  • science modules
  • national curriculum
  • meetings held
  • intensive training

  • school district
  • science teachers
  • science education
  • physical society
  • intensive professional

  • nsf project
  • offer teachers
  • student learning
  • nichrome wire
  • county elementary

  • enhancement grant
  • initial overview
  • specially clesigned
  • option science
  • gerard consuegra


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