School Science & Technology’s newest teacher professional development initiatives are the Rice Elementary Model Science Training Labs. The first Rice Elementary Model Science Lab was located at Sanchez Elementary in Houston ISD (2006 through 2008). The new ConocoPhillips Rice Elementary Model Science Lab is located at Treasure Forest Elementary in Spring Branch ISD and serves 80 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 the Rice Elementary Model Science 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 indicating 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.
