Investigate the State:
Collaborating to Study Science Issues in Michigan
Michigan Mathematics and Science
Teacher Leadership Collaborative
Stephen Best and Nancy Williams,
University of Michigan

Objectives for this Session

Objectives for this Session
• Introduce the notion of geographical analysis
of common science topics through shared
investigation and collaboration

Objectives for this Session
• Introduce the notion of geographical analysis
of common science topics through shared
investigation and collaboration
• Review and discuss plans for a statewide set
of investigations that help students learning
content and build inquiry skills and experience

Objectives for this Session
• Introduce the notion of geographical analysis
of common science topics through shared
investigation and collaboration
• Review and discuss plans for a statewide set
of investigations that help students learning
content and build inquiry skills and experience
• Consider the professional learning
opportunities of a collaborative investigation,
review, and development of curricula for
teachers

A Little Background
• MMSTLC is a PD program for developing
a new generation of instructional leaders
• Focus in science is on the more
challenging aspects of inquiry:
• Student-designed investigations
• Using scientific models to build understanding
• Data collection and analysis
• Assessing student understanding
• Big picture of project-based inquiry learning

Some Challenges in the
Approach and Model
• No opportunity to reflect on a common set
of experiences or topics
• Little organized opportunity to collaborate
on instruction or PD design
• Reliance on local partners and individuals
• No common set of structured activities that
all participants can engage colleagues with
to assess understanding of inquiry
• The EVER PRESENT short term views...

Borrow from the past...

Borrow from the past...
• Teacher Quality grant program in Grand
Rapids schools (2004-6)
• “Merged” several improvement efforts
• Implementation of 5-E Instructional Model
• Freedom to Learn technology initiative
• Curriculum development and alignment
• Need to address Highly Qualified status
• Year 1: Implement a common inquiry unit
addressing hydrology and ecosystem topics
• Year 2: Develop new inquiry units

Resulting Practices
• Collaboration among classrooms and teachers
to share data and analyze on a regional scale

Resulting Practices
• Chance to explore inquiry through a shared
lens and set of experiences
• Use of technology to push student centered
learning practices
• Collaboration among teachers to develop
new units and resources for themselves and
their colleagues
• Improved learning of science for all teachers
and students

Back to today

Investigate the State
• Common set of lessons and curricular
resources that all teachers can use
• Professional development program to
support teachers through local leaders and
online tools and resources
• Investigate large scale phenomena
• Focus on the foundations of inquiry learning
and process skills for “doing science”
• Collaboration among teachers to improve
practice and resources used

How it will work...
• Lessons and instructional resources
• “What is the water like in our river?”
• “What is the quality of air in our community?”
• A Network of Experts and Teacher
Specialists from the MMSTLC program
• Professional Development
• PD for local facilitators
• Summer academy and other workshops
• Extensive online community and resources
• Online Collaboration Tools