SUCCESSFULL TEACHER / FELLOW PARTNERSHIPS IN THE G:K-12 PROGRAM

Idaho State University, in Pocatello, Idaho, is involved in the National Science Foundation G:K-12 program. The goal of the program is to develop partnerships between teachers and graduate students in order to improve science education and increase enthusiasm for science in K-12 students. In Pocatello, graduate students work with local 5th through 12th grade teachers to improve participating teachers' science content knowledge. Essential to this process is an excellent working relationship between the teacher and the graduate student.

At Irving Middle School, the authors worked together to innovatively present science education to 7th and 8th grade science and Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) students. Through the use of LEGO robotics programs, the Science Olympiad, and many grants, we were able to successfully instill a (hopefully) lifelong interest in science in many of our students. This interest is reflected in the pre-and post year surveys our students filled out.

This poster will present a few of the more successful lessons taught and our more successful strategies used while teaching. In addition, we will reflect on why these lessons and strategies were so successful, and discuss the advantages of spending time establishing an excellent working relationship.