College Relations
State grant awarded for science education
April 7, 2004
CONTACT --- Adria Leach at 978-542-7500 or adria.leach@salemstate.edu
SALEM, Mass. - Salem State College, in partnership with the University of Massachusetts-Lowell and the Lawrence and Lynn public schools, will receive a state grant to implement a teacher education program. The goal of this collaborative effort, called Science Partnership Institutes Renewing Education Grant (SPIRE), is to specifically enhance K-16 science instruction. Sponsored by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, the one-year SPIRE grant for $198,642, with an additional $59,947 of matching funds from the partner institutions, will be used to develop and deliver science institutes to K-16 teachers during the summer and fall of 2004.
With MCAS failure rates in 5th and 8th grade science at 14 and 30 percent respectively, Massachusetts has detected the need for improved science education. The Lawrence and Lynn school systems have made science education a priority, partnering with Salem State College and the University of Massachusetts-Lowell to address the pressing need for better science instruction in their schools.
Teachers taking part in these institutes will receive professional development points toward recertification or graduate credits at the college sponsoring the institute. A Web site will serve as the communication tool between the partners, design teams, institute participants and instructors. The site will also be a repository of institute materials, a resource link for participants and dissemination tool to the partners, the funder, and the K-16 science education community.
For more information about grants at Salem State College visit www.salemstate.edu/grants/
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