Collaborative Development and Implementation of Inquiry-Based

Lesson Plans

Bill Donovan The University of Akron

Kim Calvo The University of Akron

Diana Williams Firestone High School

What is NEOCEx?

• Northeast Ohio Center of Excellence for Math and Science Teaching– Ohio Board of Regents Funding– One of 6 centers in Ohio– Primary goal: to improve teaching and

learning of mathematics and science in schools and universities through collaboration among higher education institutions, school districts, professional development centers, and the Ohio Resource Center (ORC)

NEOCEx Chemistry Partners

NEOCEx Objectives

• Help adapt, redesign, and/or develop introductory undergraduate courses taken by students seeking to teach science and/or mathematics in the middle grades so that such course serve as a model for effective science and mathematics instruction.

• Provide university instructors with resources and assistance to add inquiry-based learning opportunites to their courses to enhance students' concptual understanding.

NEOCEx Objectives

• Coordinate professional development among the collaborating institutions and assist in developing resource materials and disseminating best practices to other Ohio educators.

• Develop and disseminate online resources on inquiry teaching and learning in mathematics and science (including presentations, content specific classroom assessment techniques, lesson plans, and topic modules) through the Ohio Resource Center for Science, Mathematics, and Reading (ORC).

NEOCEx Team Activities

• Two chemistry faculty, one education faculty, one high school teacher fellow

• Frequent meetings throughout summer 2005 to develop lesson plans and align with state and national standards

• Testing of lesson plans in college courses in 2005-06

NEOCEx Dissemination

• Lesson plans translated to middle school level in summer 2006 by high school teaching fellows

• Weeklong workshop for middle school teachers, facilitated by high school teaching fellows, UA education faculty member, and lead chemistry faculty member– Focus on inquiry methods, standards

NEOCEx Dissemination

• Lesson plans to be posted to NEOCEx web site and shared with Ohio Resource Center (ohiorc.org) including standards and additional material

Benefits

• “Collateral Damage”– Non-teacher candidates

• 9-12 in Gen Chem, 5-8 in Chemistry for Everyone

• Networking

• Partnerships– 5-8, 9-12, college

• Inquiry Exposure– Teacher responses

Lesson Plan Components

• Teacher Info– Standards – Misconceptions– Materials, etc.

• Student Info– Inquiry-based

Acknowledgements• Cleveland State University

Team– David Ball, CSU Chemistry– Rob Ferguson, CSU Teacher

Education– Jerry Reed-Mundell, CSU

Chemistry– Donna Turner, Normandy

High School• Kent State University Team

– Andrew Burns, KSU Stark – Cameron Church, KSU

Chemistry– Steve Horvath, Aurora High

School– Wendy Sherman, KSU

Curriculum Studies

• University of Akron Team– Francis Broadway, UA

Curriculum & Instruction– Kim Calvo, UA Chemistry– Bill Donovan, UA Chemistry– Sherri Lovelace-Cameron,

YSU Chemistry– Kathie Owens, UA Curriculum

& Instruction– Diana Williams, Firestone

High School

• David McConnell, NEOCEx Director

• $$$: Ohio Board of Regents

Lesson Plan Resources

• http://www2.uakron.edu/cci/NEOCEx/

• http://www.ohiorc.org/