The document introduces a statewide collaborative initiative called "Investigate the State" between the Michigan Mathematics and Science Teacher Leadership Collaborative and teachers. The initiative aims to (1) introduce geographical analysis of science topics through shared investigations, (2) develop a set of statewide investigations to help students learn content and inquiry skills, and (3) provide professional learning opportunities for teachers through collaborative curriculum development. Teachers will work together on common lessons about topics like water quality and air quality to analyze data on a regional scale and improve science instructional practices.

1. 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

2. Objectives for this Session

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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...

8. Borrow from the past...

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. Back to today

13. 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

14. 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