A-TIME for PHYSICS FIRST LOGO

A TIME for PHYSICS FIRST

Academy for Teachers - Inquiry and
Modeling Experiences for Physics First

Year 3 - Summer 2008

Introduction |  Academy Curriculum |  Selection Guidelines |  Contact Information |  Participant Benefits |  Participant Commitments |  District Benefits |  District Commitments |  Application Procedure | Immunization Info

2008 Forms and Info:
2008 Renewal Application form
Math Teacher Application 2008        Admin Application 2008
MU Mandatory Immunization form

Introduction

A TIME for Physics First is a program funded by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education through a Math-Science Partnership grant. This program consists of curriculum development of a yearlong physics course at the 9th grade level, related professional development, support for classroom implementation and student evaluation. This collaboration is led by Columbia Public Schools and the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Summer academies will be held in 2006, 2007 and 2008 at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Academy participants will be supported during the school year by 4 daylong follow-up sessions held on Saturdays, site visits from coach-mentors and meetings of Professional Learning Teams. Math teachers and administrators from partner districts will attend parts of each academy. The 2008 academy is open only to the 72 teachers who attended in 2007.

Academy instruction will be provided by Profs. Meera Chandrasekhar and Dorina Kosztin (MU Physics), Prof. Kandiah Manivannan (MSU Physics), Profs. Mark Volkmann and James Tarr (MU Education) and Sara Torres (CPS), peer teachers, teaching assistants and consultants.

[ top ]

Academy Curriculum

For 2006-07 participants, the three-year series of summer academies, each 3 weeks long, will focus on the following content:

Summer 2006: Force and Motion (Units 1-4)
Summer 2007: Motion in 2D, Energy and Electricity (Units 5-9)
Summer 2008: Electromagnetism, Waves, and Heat & Real-World Applications (Units 10-12): June 9-27

For proteges, the two-year series of summer academies, each 4 weeks long, will focus on the following content:

Summer 2007: Force, Motion, 2D Motion and Electricity (Units 1-5, 9)
 Summer 2008: Energy, Momentum, Planetary Motion, Electromagnetism, Waves, and Heat & Real-World Applications (Units 5-8, 10-12): June 2-27

All content will:

  • Align with Missouri Grade Level Expectations (GLEs)
  • Include assessment suitable for 9th grade
  • Utilize hands-on materials to match a diverse mix of students
  • Modeling and inquiry strategies are demonstrated and explicitly described throughout

[ top ]

Contact Information

Sara Torres, Science Coordinator, Columbia Public Schools
storres@columbia.k12.mo.us
(573) 214-3945
Meera Chandrasekhar, Professor of Physics, University of Missouri
meerac@missouri.edu
(573) 882-2619
Mark Volkmann, Associate Professor of Science Education, University of Missouri
volkmannmj@missouri.edu
(573) 884-9738		 Mani K. Manivannan, Professor of Physics, Missouri State University
manimanivannan@missouristate.edu
(417) 836-6425
Sarah Hill, Program Coordinator, University of Missouri
hillsar@missouri.edu
Tele: (573) 882-7997
Fax: (573) 882-4195		 Molly Delgado, Bookkeeper, Columbia Public Schools
mdelgado@columbia.k12.mo.us
Tele: (573) 214-3945
Fax: (573) 214-3998

[ top ]

Participant Benefits

Annual Benefits
Comments (protege info in parenthesis)
Stipend of $127.16 per day during the summer academy $1907.40 (proteges $2543.20) after academy, contingent upon attendance. Approximately 13% of this amount will be retained by your school district for your retirement program.
Stipend of $127.16/day for follow-ups and for 20 hours of PLT meetings Contingent upon 2008-09 funding
Stipend for Advisory Board and Curriculum Committee members* $127.16 / day*
4 (proteges 5) hours free graduate credit: 3 (proteges 4) in physics (summer), 1 in science education (school year). Pretest will be given. Post-tests, homework and participation determine physics grade; Information on science education grade will be provided at academy.
Partial travel support for those who live outside Columbia

For Science teacher participants:
Dorm residents: max. 250 miles per trip, 6 trips annually (4 during academy, 2 for follow-ups*).
Commuters from outside Columbia: 100 miles per trip, 19 trips annually (15 during academy, four for follow-ups*).
For Math teacher and Administrator participants:
Dorm residents: max. 250 miles per trip, 1 trip annually.
Commuters: 100 miles per trip for every day attended.
Note: All travel is contingent upon attendance.

An air conditioned dormitory room and meals if you live on campus, lunch for commuters Meal cards will be provided to all participants during the academy. Lunch will be provided during follow-up sessions.
Curriculum and assessment materials In print and/or electronic form.
An equipment kit worth $500+ Each science teacher participant will receive an kit containing one copy of equipment and materials used for hands-on activities performed during the academy.
Access to equipment on loan A limited number of kits of academy materials will be available on loan during the academic year.
Support from Professional Learning Teams (PLT) within districts or neighboring districts PLT training will be provided as part of the academy. Schedules, activities and responsibilities will be discussed at that time.
Support from Coach-Mentor* A Coach-Mentor will be assigned to each science teacher participant. Mentors will attend the academy, and will visit the teacher 8 times during the academic year to provide in-class and PLT support*.
Electronic / telephone / website access to project staff and resources See login link above.
Support from math teacher from each district Math teachers will attend the academy for 3 days (June 9-11, 2008). They will receive a stipend of $127.16/day, a dorm room if needed, meals and travel support (see info above)
Support from a designated administrator from each district Administrators will attend the academy for 2 days (June 16-17, 2008). They will receive a stipend of $127.16/day, a dorm room if needed, meals and travel support (see info above)

Year 2 : same as above plus up to $500 to present at or attend conferences (primarily STOM and Interface)
Year 3 : same as Year 2, but stipend increases to $127.16/day for third year participants. Conferences support contingent upon funding.
* Contingent upon 2008-09 funding

[ top ]

Participant Commitments

  • Participate for 3 years (proteges 2 years)
  • 2006 participants attend 3-week summer academies at MU (15 days, 6 hrs/day). 2007 proteges attend 4-week summer academy at MU (20 days, 6 hrs/day). All attend 4 follow-up Saturdays annually*. Two follow-ups may be held at STOM or Interface, or by video conference.
  • Participate in Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) during school year: 2-4 week lesson-study
  • Participate in Professional Learning Team monthly meetings* (20 hours)
  • Meet 8 times / year with Coach-Mentor*
  • Teach 9 units of content from the academy during the school year (units 1,2,3,4,6,9,10 and two more from 5,7,8,11 and 12)
  • Report students' pre/post-tests, document changes in cognition and provide scores to the program
  • Submit journal writings via website for science education credit
  • Pay MU student incidental fees (~ $130 / year). The school district may opt to pay this fee.
  • In Years 2 & 3 , participants may submit a proposal to present Physics First activities at a professional conference*.
    * Contingent upon 2008-09 funding

[ top ]

District Benefits

  • Curriculum development for yearlong 9th grade physics course
  • Professional development for 9th grade science teachers
  • Support for implementation of yearlong Physics First course during academic year
  • Assessment of students to evaluate program.

[ top ]

District Commitments

  • Participate in program for entire 3 years (2 years if only a protege district)
  • Implement yearlong 9th grade Physics First (PF) course in the 2006-07 school year
  • Submit a District Commitment Form signed by administrator, which is part of the application form
  • Designate a district contact person who is responsible for communication between the PF team and district participants, recruitment and paperwork, including collection of videotape and test consent forms
  • Provide support for Professional Learning Teams (PLTs)
  • Permit classroom visits by coach mentors 8 times each school year*
  • Recruit a math teacher to attend summer academy for 3 days
  • Recruit administrator to attend summer academy for 2 days
  • Appoint science teacher or administrator to serve on either the Curriculum Committee or Advisory Board; those meetings held on Saturdays
  • Offer in-service credit, where appropriate, to math teachers and administrators who attend academy
  • Offer in-service credit, where appropriate, for members of the Curriculum Committee and the Advisory Board
  • Collaborate with external evaluators to support program goals and ensure quality of delivery

[ top ]

Application Procedure

The following items must be included in the application packet:

  • A completed 2008 renewal form, which includes
    1. Information about participant
    2. Participant Commitment Form, signed by applicant
    3. District Commitment Form, signed by a district administrator
  • Partnership form, only if your district is not already a partner
  • Deadline for returning forms: March 1, 2008
Please mail application material to:

Sarah Hill
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
223 Physics Bldg.
University of Missouri
Columbia , MO 65211

Immunization Information

Federal and State regulations require all students to have certain immunizations (waived for semester 1, but not thereafter). Guidelines are described in MU's Mandatory Immunization form. Note that ALL students are required to have immunizations in Part I of the form; students living in residence halls - Part II; Part III is required for some people; and Part IV is recommended but not required. All Physics First participants are required to complete this form and send it to Sarah Hill.

[ top ]

The leadership team is currently seeking Year 4 funding to support academic year activities.

E-mail: meerac@missouri.edu
Phone: (573) 882-2619
Address: University of Missouri - Columbia

© 2006 — University of Missouri - Columbia

Last Updated: May 1, 2007