Both the Kentucky Fayette County and California Placentia / Yorba Linda
Unified school districts have received grants which will allow further
development of innovative classroom technology and curriculum.
This page contains both the Kentucky and California
abstracts.
IMMEX Expands to Fayette County Public Schools in the
Heart of the Kentucky Bluegrass Region
Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the UCLA
IMMEX Project and Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington Kentucky
commenced a unique community-integrated collaboration on October 1, 2003. The
IMMEX-Fayette Consortium will meld the collective expertise of business
partners, teachers, university faculty, and students to create web-based,
problem-solving simulations that interweave standards, curricular content, and
technological issues commonly encountered in careers in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics in summer technology institutes. According to
Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Kenneth James, “This project
is about developing innovative curriculum that will impact instruction when
infused as a part of regular classroom practice.”
NSF Award ESI-0323036: Project Summary -- "IMMEX Fayette
Consortium: Community Integrated Problem Solving."
In Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS), Kentucky, 50% of
students achieve at novice/apprentice levels in math and science. Designed to
position students competitively for multiple career paths, including
information technology and engineering, the IMMEX-Fayette Consortium is a
comprehensive project for students and teachers providing grades 7 12 students
a solid foundation in science and mathematics. Approximately 86 teachers and
43 students participate. Through classroom integration, over 5,000 students
will be impacted. This is a community-integrated model in which teams of
teachers, students, business partners, and higher education faculty construct
interactive, problem-solving simulations integrating standards-based,
curricular content and technological issues commonly encountered in careers in
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in summer technology
institutes for teachers and students. This is followed by integration of
technology and IMMEX problem solving during the school year. IMMEX problem
solving engages students in scientific inquiry where students frame problems
from a descriptive scenario, distinguish relevant from irrelevant information,
plan a search strategy, gather information, and reach a decision that
demonstrates understanding. Prior to problem solving, business partners
conduct presentations to provide students with real-world applications of
science and math. To foster continued involvement in STEM-related careers,
next is a Grades 12-14 Student Fellowship Program. Students interested in
technology careers who have demonstrated proficiency in problem-solving get to
explore their interest further through internships with business partners
during their senior years and first two years of college.
Lexington Herald Leader: http://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/6774646.htm
Fayette nets $1.12 million school grant
Science award promotes Web-based learning
By Michaela Saunders
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Kentucky Teacher: At Toliver Elementary, technology supports critical-thinking
and problem-solving skills (Page 5). By Joy Barr
http://www.kentuckyschools.net/NR/rdonlyres/epu...5df/KYTsept2003.pdf
Placentia Yorba Linda School District IMMEX Technology
Project
Sponsored by the California Department of Education:
Enhancing Education through Technology Grant ($1.9 M)
The Placentia Yorba Linda School District will implement a
technology infused, research-based program to enhance science education in
grades 6, 7, and 8: The IMMEX Technology Project. The eMINTS model for
professional development will be used to provide ample training and mentoring
for teachers to incorporate technology into their standards aligned
curriculum. IMMEX software is a research-based program, developed at UCLA that
improves science skills and thinking skills by providing detailed information
about how students solve problems.
IMMEX will provide data collection and professional development. Grant funds
will also be used to purchase laptop carts for use in target classrooms at the
district’s middle schools. EPALS will provide filtered email accounts. Five
work stations will be placed at the local public library to increase student
access. Wireless access points additional electrical wiring if necessary and
LCD projector will provide each school with equipment necessary to meet the
goals of the project.
PYLUSD has a strong commitment to science. The district has adopted kit-based
science instruction for grades K-6 using the model proposed by the National
Research Council. The district is currently using IMMEX software to enhance
science instruction in grades K-6 and 9-12. These problem sets are aligned
with the California state science standards. This school year, new science
textbooks were adopted for K-8. These text materials are now aligned with
California state science standards. The IMMEX Technology Project will provide
practice and transfer of science content knowledge into new settings using
real-life scenarios. Teachers in the target group will use the student data
from IMMEX to monitor and continuously evaluate problem-solving skills.
The program will be managed by a Grant Director in conjunction with the
Director of Technology and the Director of Professional Development Program
and her six staff members. The participating teachers will receive 100 hours
of professional development the first year and 70 hours in the second year.
Participating teachers will attend technology classes, 4 in-service days,
after school curriculum planning and review sessions, and summer workshops.
The participants will increase their technology skills, learn to use IMMEX
software and Titanium software and make websites for their classes. Curriculum
instruction specialists (CIS) will provide coaching and support in the
classroom and mentor participating teachers. The IMMEX Technology project will
create a dynamic, technology infused middle school science program.
Enhancing Education Through Technology
Funding for the No Child Left Behind Act Competitive Grant Award Recipients
(posted 8/22/2003)
http://www.cde.ca.gov/edtech/eett/compawards.htm
News Article (Kentucky -
Lexington Herald Leader)