INTEGRATING UNIVERSITY-LEVEL SCIENCE RESEARCH INTO THE PRIMARY, MIDDLE AND SECONDARY GRADES

The implementation of Maine Learning Standards demands that students and teachers be more proficient at learning and teaching science within the context of these guidelines. One way to meet criteria set forth in the Learning Standards is to provide students with better access to high-quality scientific equipment and instruction. In an effort to provide opportunities for scientific enrichment to K-12 students and teachers, University of Maine faculty, graduate and undergraduate students are actively engaged in a K-12 teaching fellowship program, sponsored by the National Science Foundation. In its second year, the NSF K-12 program continues to open avenues for students and teachers to expand the scope of their classes through integration of federal monies, University of Maine resources and Fellow creativity. Fellows and their mentor teachers seek to design field trips, demonstrations and other enriching experiences for the students. This fellowship program involves students and faculty from disciplines such as biology, chemistry, food science, geological sciences and marine biology. The resulting blend of experiences provides a "knowledge bank" that Fellows can utilize to bring exciting learning materials into the classroom.

Numerous activities relating to the physical sciences have been developed and implemented during the course of this program. The incorporation of fieldtrips and unique long- and short-term activities into the primary, middle and secondary grades has produced interesting results so far. Students are encouraged to work with computers, data sets, and hands-on materials in order to pose and answer questions about the world around them. The importance of applying classroom concepts to real-world situations has been realized and is an integral component of our teaching approaches. The potential impact of this project goes far beyond the science concepts that Fellows convey to students. University students have the ability to serve as science educators and as positive role models to the students in the classroom.