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2011 Georgia Abstract

Grantee Name:Georgia State University
Project Name:Teaching Teachers Together: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Success (3-STEMS)
Project Director:Diane Truscott  404-413-8218
Partner Districts/LEAs:Atlanta Public Schools

PROJECT ABSTRACT

The project entitled, Teaching Teachers Together: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Success (3-STEMS) builds on our current partnership with Atlanta Public Schools and the Urban Accelerated Certification and Master’s Program (UACM). The primary goal of the 3-STEMS project is to increase the number of highly qualified teachers committed to high need urban schools. Project objectives and activities focus on four areas: 1) recruitment and selection; 2) teacher training and certification and endorsement; 3) focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects; and 4) support for new teachers in using data based decision-making. In addition to certification in PreK-5, participants will receive an ESOL endorsement during the certification year and a Masters degree in year 2.

Participants for certification and endorsements include recent college graduates and mid-career professionals. Project activities include the development of a Professional Learning Site in conjunction with Atlanta Public Schools at one of the partner schools we work with. This site will serve as a hub for certification and professional learning activities including certification-oriented courses delivered at the school, extensive immersion experiences for TTT interns, STEM demonstration lessons for teachers, and mentorship and coaching for participants. In addition, over the summer, the project will design and implement specialized summer programs for children and teachers in the STEM field. Two summer camps will operate: one focusing on math and science and the other on literacy and technology, both serving Atlanta students. Teachers will also be offered opportunities to use technology in new ways through summer tutoring and the Supportive Technology for the Education of Literacy Learners and Reading (STELLAR) program which is a series of videos about instructional literacy practices (e.g., word work, guided reading, etc.) that teachers watch at home and then participate in Cross-Career Learning Communities.

Finally, the project will focus on using data continuously to support teachers in how to use data to inform their practices and improve the project. The use of classroom-based teacher action research and problem-solution projects are ways to help educators select authentic issues presented in the classroom and community and use data as a means to make change. School-collaboration mini-grants will offer support for Atlanta teacher-faculty teams in designing and implementing curricular innovations targeted to STEM and that use data to inform practice. By the end of the project, 3-STEMS will have impacted 10,125 students and produced 135 newly certified teachers (25 in years 1-3, 30 in years 4 & 5). The project also provides professional learning in STEM for classroom teachers in our partner schools and through our teacher mentor component resulting in support for 405 in service practitioners.


 
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Last Modified: 10/03/2011