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SCIENCEMASTER GRANT
Manatee School District
Nova Southeastern University - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Florida Learning Alliance
Boost science performance in an entire district. The challenge is to boost each science teacher's skill and enthusiasm so dramatically that it lifts students, their interest, knowledge, and test scores. SCIENCEMASTER will develop and launch 5 online tools that will boost 2,500 teachers in the Manatee School District and 25 other rural counties or schools. These five online science tools for teacher professional development will include:
1) ScienceTeacher - A website & eLibrary resource for 2,500 teachers
2) Science Lift-Off - A survey to determine the best professional development trajectory
3) Science First Course - Ten "Get Started Courses" for 240 teachers
4) Science Master's Degrees - Degrees in Space & Science Education for 60 teachers
5) CoachScience - Science coaching & training for 300 teachers.
Targeting elementary and middle schools that had low student-scores on their 2006 FCAT science tests, the Manatee School District will test these online tools district-wide. As a secondary demonstration, 25 rural districts and the Florida School for the Deaf & Blind will also test them. Nova Southeastern University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will design, develop and deliver the online content, working with these demonstration partners and the Florida Center for Research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These universities will also provide university coaches to work with the school districts, schools and teachers, participating in the project.
Boost Four - Science Master's Degrees - Full Launch
Online modules and a single course will improve the skills of a teacher; but advanced teaching skills come from advanced degrees. Advanced degrees demand an intense and rigorous commitment. Advanced degrees are also the key to advancing a teaching career. The most expert science teachers emerging from ScienceMaster will be 50 teachers who earn master's degrees and commit (as a condition of receiving financial assistance) to serve as school coaches for three years in their district. Using the same application and review process, SCIENCEMASTER staff in Manatee will recruit teachers to apply for Science Master's Degrees online master's degree programs offered by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Nova Southeastern University … Space Education or Science Education. Based on 1) their application, 2) their survey and assessment results, 3) their commitment to serve as a school coach for three years upon completion of their degree program, 4) the priorities of the district and 5) their qualifications to take the degree program, the review panel will award 50 Science Master's Degrees that will cover tuition, fees and books for an online master's degree. The review panel must make awards based on the following priorities, in addition to the conditions that they have established in the review process:
Highest Priority
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A current elementary teacher or middle school science teacher in a low-scoring targeted school
A current or new teacher, willing to teach science in a low-scoring elementary or middle school
Any other elementary, middle or high school teacher teaching or willing to teach science
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Lowest Priority