ITTIP Awarded Mathematics and Science Partnership Grants

ITTIP is proud to announce the awarding of two grants from the state Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) grant program. These two grants will help to ensure the continued growth of innovative technology practices in STEM subjects in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The first grant awarded will fund the Integrating the Nature of Science and Physical science In Rural Schools (INSPIRS) project. This project will provide learning opportunities for middle school Physical Science teachers in partnering school divisions. INSPIRS is a partnership between Longwood University’s College of Arts and Sciences, ITTIP, SVRTC, and 8 school divisions.  Activities of INSPIRS will include:

A five-day professional development institute in the Summer of 2012 focused on the integration of the Nature of Science and Physical Science through Inquiry Based Learning (IBL), Problem Based Learning (PBL), Understanding by Design (UbD), and the 5e Learning Cycle;
Training on software and probeware to integrate into a NoS and PS unit; Lesson plan development using UbD as a template to design a PS and NoS unit of instruction; Online resources and support during the school year by ITTIP faculty; and A final summit on one Saturday in Spring 2013 to highlight unit plans developed by participating teachers.  The first INSPIRS institute will be held June 11-15, 2012 in Halifax County.

The second grant awarded will fund the Virginia STEM Collaborative Nurturing Network to Enhance Content-focused Teaching (VA STEM CoNNECT) project. This project is a partnership with eight universities, five non-profit organizations, three businesses, and 48 school divisions.

VA STEM CoNNECT is building on the past success of partnering institutions in STEM programs and is leading integrated STEM learning reform though:

Professional Development for mathematics and science teachers focused on the application of mathematics and science Standards of Learning (SOL) with an emphasis on the engineering design process; On-going school-year support through e-learning and/or lesson study; and Partnering with leaders in school divisions to support STEM instruction that increases achievement and engagement in all student populations. During the summer of 2012 the project will begin its training of 174 teachers.