Increasing the Potential of Physics and Chemistry

Teachers in teachHOUSTON

Paige Evans, Ed.D.R. Riley Hatch, Noyce ScholarGeoffrey Hart, Noyce Scholar

Introductions

Paige Evans

Master TeacherPhysics Teacher

Geoffrey Hart

NOYCE ScholarMajor: Mathematics

Minor: Physics

R. Riley Hatch

NOYCE ScholarMajors: Chemistry &

Biology

Agenda

IntroductionsStaggering StatisticsteachHOUSTON StatisticsCollaboration with physics departmentPhysics/Chemistry Majors in ProgramSTEM CampPutting it all together: NoyceA portrait of 2 Noyce Scholars

Introductions

Introduce YourselfProgramRole in your programComment(s) about the status of physics

and chemistry teachers in your program or area

Physical Science: a continuing problem*National Science Foundation, 2011

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19781980

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19861988

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19941996

19982001

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20070

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U.S. Bachelor Degrees Awarded by Year*

Biological and Agricultural Sciences

Physical Sciences

Year

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ber D

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es A

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STEM Education: A National Crisis

67% of teachers teaching physics in grades 8 – 12 and

61% of teachers teaching chemistry in grades 8 – 12 nationwide are uncertified and unqualified

(NAS, 2007).

STEM Education: A Texas Crisis

Percentage of Middle and high school math and science teachers assigned out-of-field in Texas from 1999-2008 (Fuller, 2009)

Number of Texas High School Teachers Assigned Out-of-Field (Fuller, 2009)

A Texas Sized Problem in Houston

Pasadena ISD Galena Park ISD Alief ISD52

54

56

58

60

62

64

66

Experience of Houston-Area Physics Teachers

Houston-Area School District

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f P

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each

ers

Lackin

g 3

Years

of

Exp

eri

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ce

(Jacobs, 2011; Resendez, 2011; Smith, Grinstead, & Benner, 2011).

A Texas Sized Problem in Houston

Approximately 75% physics teachers did not receive a major or minor in physics (Brady, 2011; Dodd, 2011; Jacobs, 2011; Resendez, 2011; Smith, Grinstead, & Benner, 2011; Williams-Earlie, 2011).

For physics, during the 2011 field testing for the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) End of Course (EOC) testing, just 3% of students tested would have met a passing standard set at a 70 percent correct response rate (Smith, Grinstead, & Benner, 2011).

Teachers with composite certifications typically have a weaker content background in physics compare to other content areas (Jacobs, 2011; Brady, 2011; Resendez, 2011).

teachHOUSTON – A Snapshot

A New Generation of Math and Science TeachersStarted in Spring 200783 Graduates (including Spring 13)

◦46 Mathematics◦25 Biology◦11 Chemistry◦ 1 Environmental Science◦ 0 Physics

88 % are teaching (not including Spring 13)83% are teaching in the Houston area (not

including Spring 13)

Early Recruiting Attempts

Successful at bringing in all majors except for physics◦Co-Directors

Dr. Jeff Morgan, Professor and Chair – Math Dr. Simon Bott, Instructional Professor and

Undergraduate Chair – Chemistry

◦Recruiter/Advisor: Ms. Leah Shields

Physics – teachHOUSTON Collaboration

Collaboration◦ Physics – Physics Faculty, Dr. Donna Stokes, Associate Professor,

Undergraduate Academic Advisor◦ Started working together during the Fall 2009 Semester◦ First Physics Major – Spring 2010

Physics – teachHOUSTON Collaboration

Collaboration◦Grant Writing◦Degree Plans (Physics and teachHOUSTON)◦New Degree Plan (Math/Physics)◦New Certification (Math/Physics)◦New Course: Science Inquiry (PHYS 4342)

Will be taught for the first time this summer◦Physics Minor:

Worked on a version most appropriate for teaching Included Science Inquiry Course

Physics – Current Physics Majors in Program with GPA’s > 2.5

Starting Point Spring 13

1 – Spring 105 – Fall 112 – Fall 122 – Spring 13

2 – Step 14 – Step 21 – K & L3 – CI

Chemistry Majors in Program

12 Currently in Program with GPA’s >2.5◦3 – Step 1◦3 – Step 2 ◦2 – K&L ◦3 – CI ◦1 – PBI

STEM Camp

ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp◦Opportunities for pre-service teachers to

increase their self-efficacy

Senior Camp Counselors

Let’s Put it Together….

Success - Noyce Grant for Physics and Chemistry – Fall 2012

Graphic here of all components

Let’s Put it Together….

Geoff Hart – His journey

Let’s Put it Together….

Riley Hatch – his journey

Let’s Put it Together….

Other things tied to science inquiry courseComposite science degree plansGoes back to the data – lessTeachers with composite certifications

typically have a weaker content background in physics compare to other content areas (Jacobs, 2011; Brady, 2011; Resendez, 2011).

PBI at UHCo-Teach

Model Lessons

◦From PBI Unit

◦Inquiry Continuum

Field Experience

◦Share Out