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School Science & Technology’s newest
teacher professional development initiatives are the Rice Elementary Model Science Training Labs. The first Rice Elementary Model Science Lab opened at Sanchez Elementary in Houston ISD in 2006-07. A second Lab, the ConocoPhillips Rice Elementary Model Science Training Lab opens at Treasure Forest Elementary in Spring Branch ISD in 2008-09. The ConocoPhillips Lab will serve elementary teachers from across the greater Houston area.
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These labs were created in response to the high need for science content and pedagogy training for elementary teachers of science. The goal of these Labs is to teach teachers how to “teach for understanding” and thus empower their students to learn and love science. The inquiry methods employed in teaching the teachers in the Lab are the same methods we ask the teachers to use in the classroom.
The Rice Elementary Model Science Lab program has been guided by the research indicating that to be effective, teacher professional development must be embedded in the professional work week. The Rice Labs provide one full day each week of professional development throughout the academic year for each Lab participant.
This approach has proven to be highly successful with many Lab participants indicate that the Rice Lab program changed not only how they teach science (and other subjects) but also was a “life changing” experience. Student achievement among Lab participants has also increased.
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