13 Montgomery County High School Science Teachers Undergo Four Weeks of Professional Training at UMBI’s Center of Marine Biotechnology

Research Lessons Learned, May Soon Become New School Lesson Plans

Over the course of four weeks, 13 Montgomery County biology teachers participated in wet lab research investigations, brown bag lunches with scientist, workshops, lab meetings, and research-based field trips. Upon completion of their work in one of eleven different labs and research areas within UMBI’s COMB facility, the teachers developed new inquiry-based lesson plans. During the last two days of the program, teachers presented these inquiry-based lessons and applied their work to a variety of disciplines, including marine biology, chemistry, forensic science physical science, ecology, and astronomy. After each presentation, the group of peers and scientist provided feedback on the inquiry-based lesson plans.

“Inquiry is critical foundation to the practice of science,” says Dr. Jennie Hunter-Cevera, President of UMBI. “To instill the power of inquiry in a young science student’s mind is paramount to fostering keen critical thinkers and problem solvers. Every day scientists use inquiry to formulate critical path questions. By introducing teachers to scientists and scientific work, the more familiar they become with authentic inquiry and are able to replicate this in their classrooms. Our COMB faculty gave their time and expertise willingly to make this project a success. I am very proud of their dedication to educational outreach programs.“

UMBI’s ExPERT program for the VIP K-16 Project is designed to provide teachers with learning experiences that include the hands-on application of science, field investigations, and mentoring associations with UMBI researchers and scientists. This 2004 summer program helps teachers design inquiry-based activities that can be applied to their classroom curricula, and helps them promote inquiry-based methodologies in their classroom. UMBI, a multi-disciplinary research institution with five diverse centers, offers a variety of education and outreach programs. The intent of these activities is to enhance K-12 bioscience curricula, improve minority access to bioscience education, and provide quality-training opportunities to K-12 science teachers.

Responding to how he would use this experience in the classroom, Steve Shifflett, a teacher at Walter Johnson High School, said he would begin the next school year by telling his students about his summer session at UMBI, and then throughout the year he will apply different lessons learned to ecology, cell, and chemistry teaching units. “This has been one of the most exciting months of my life! exclaimed Mr. Shifflett. “I worked on three different research projects while I was here. I had a lot of questions, and I got a lot of answers. I learned a whole lot, and I intend
to follow these research studies and bring my students to COMB for a fieldtrip.”

“It’s been an incredible experience,” said first-year science teacher, Carrie Dischiave from Rockville High School. “I have experienced so many new things, and can apply this insight in my classroom.”

“It has changed the way I think,” said David McGaffin, Damascus High School teacher. I always understood the scientific theories, but now I have a better understanding of the equipment and processes behind those theories.”

ExPERT is an initiative of the Education and Outreach Program at the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute. It is offered in partnership with the National Science Foundation VIP K-16 Math and Science Partnership between the Montgomery County Public Schools and the University System of Maryland. The program, funded by a National Science Foundation Math and Science Partnership Grant, will be offered again in the summer of 2005. Applications for the 2005 program will be available in October of 2004. For additional information on this program please contact Sandy Honda at Honda@UMBI.UMD.EDU.

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2004 ExPERT Teacher Participants:
Carrie Dischiave, Rockville High School
Jason Gvazdauskas, Damascus High School
Jodi Hathaway, Damascus High School
John Hendrix, Kennedy High School
Seth Kenton, Sherwood High School
Janet Kovach, Emory Grove, Pheonix II
David McGaffin, Damascus High School
Sana Pasha, Spring Brook High School
Howard Putterman, Quince Orchard High School
Christina Schwalm, Kennedy High School
Steve Shifflett, Walter Johnson High School
Edward Singleton, McKinney Hills High School
Jeneen Stewart, Paint Branch High School

2004 ExPERT -- Center for Marine Biology Mentors:
M. Robert Belas, Ph.D., Microbial Geneticist
Shiladitya Dassarma, Ph.D., Molecular Biologist
Jim Du, Ph.D., Developmental Biologist
Russell T. Hill, Ph.D., Microbiologist
Anwar Huq, Ph.D., Environmental Microbiologist
Rosemary Jasgus, Ph.D., Molecular Biologist
Allen R. Place, Ph.D., Biochemist
Frank. T. Robb, Ph.D., Microbiologist
Kevin R. Sowers, Ph.D., Microbiologist
Gerardo R. Vasta, Ph.D., Biochemist and Immunologist
Yonathan Zohar, Ph.D., Fish Endocrinologist

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