Sally Shafer Director, Science Works Program  Office: 356 Chem_Phys  Phone: (859) 257-5131  Fax: (859) 323-2846

Joseph Straley condensed matter theory  Office: 285 Chem-Phys  Phone: (859) 257-3197

About Science Works

Our training and materials are inquiry based and KERA specific, aligned with NSES and KDE Core Content for Science Assessment, with emphasis on

* Do you have professional development needs in physical science in elementary or middle school grades? We model inquiry instructional strategies and the constructivist approach to learning. We focus on learning science by doing it, and on empowering teachers to provide the experiences necessary for learning to take place in students at all stages.

* Do your plans call for focusing on Science Core Content in elementary and middle grades? Our content is aligned with the KDE Core Content for Science Assessment and the National Science Education Standards. We integrate Kentucky Academic Expectations with science content throughout our materials and training.

* Do you need age appropriate and effective classroom physical science materials for all of your students? Our classroom equipment kits are extensive, practical, durable, and suitable for use beyond the activities we provide. They are designed for small group work to ensure maximum student experience. These materials and the associated activities engage students in inquiry science and allow teachers to target a broad range of science skills from basic to higher order. Many weeks of classroom lessons are provided, as well as a variety of assessment strategies.
 

Teachers attending a workshop receive  an extensive equipment kit in classroom sets of 8 to 12 a coordinated manual of developmentally appropriate classroom activities training in the use of the materials and activities   The workshops can range from 6 to 30 hours  take one or the whole series follow-up offered

* We give teachers the materials, understanding, and confidence to teach physical science core content in an inquiry mode. Our sessions can be paced to allow the depth of experience and instruction needed by your group to assure immediate and effective implementation in the classroom.

* In addition to our equipment kits, we also sell the many science tools in our kits, plus some other things, as individual or replacement parts. We have some hard-to-find items that you may want to use in other lab activities of your own choice. Ask us for a price list if you are interested. Our list includes things like battery operated motors, buzzers, light bulbs, and light emitting diodes; alligator clips; spring scales; diffraction gratings; variety of plastic lenses and mirrors, liquid crystal temperature sensitive materials; thermometers.....

This is a well established program. Since 1994 Joe Straley and Sally Shafer have equipped and trained over eight hundred Kentucky teachers with support from Eisenhower and KY DOE EPSCoR grants. We have worked with teachers from more than 50 districts, and from a variety of private schools. Our topics have been offered in sessions ranging from 3 to 36 hours.  Our participants report a high level of usage and success with our materials. Upon request, we are happy to provide names of districts and individuals to serve as references for our programs.

Participants are uniformly enthusiastic and have offered the following recent comments: "excellent training, exactly what teachers have been asking for - you've given us 'how to', not just theory" . "very well organized, fun, and practical" . "I feel prepared to do this in my class! I will definitely get their attention when I teach these lessons." "The activities really showed how inquiry branches out from one question to another and how to lead students to find their own answers" "I am amazed at the materials you have gathered for us!" "my kids love these activities" "made me feel more competent in science" "helps me target higher order thinking skills" "It was a very comfortable atmosphere for me to learn in!" "I definitely understand more about elementary physics now" ..... "the materials are super - the notebook with plans and graphs is fantastic" "This was an awesome hands-on activity day!" "This is definitely a workshop that goes back to the classroom" "I was able to strengthen my understanding of science concepts. This is how discoveries are made and should feed the natural interests of my students" "Your activities are the best ones for science that I have ever used in my classroom." "This is the best science/physics workshop I have ever attended" " the best PD I've had in years"   "It was hard to make my students stop and move on to something else - they did not want to leave this topic"  (really, teachers have said all this to us and to others - we didn't make it up)

We are eager to help you address your professional development and materials needs in elementary and middle school physics, and to help raise student performance levels in science. Tell us your needs and goals. We can put together a training and materials package that will help you succeed.  We want to provide follow up for participants too.  We're always adding to our schedule - become part of it.  Please contact us with questions or requests. We can also send printed information about our program.

Hands-On Virtual Workshops -- The online version of our workshops.

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