This 38 month program will work with a total of 80 teachers in the urban core of Phoenix, Arizona. Four middle schools serving predominately minority ( Hispanic, Black and Native American ) students are the target group and will become demonstration schools for the seven school districts in this area. The project will involve in this program for change not only school personnel but also parents, community leaders and student volunteers. Project personnel will teach teachers issues and topics relating to Science, Technology and Society (STS) and will teach curriculum development skills as well. Eight teachers, two from each demonstration school, will be selected and trained as Master Teachers so that they can assist in dissemination of the curriculum. Over a three year period the target schools (including the principals and middle school teachers) will be prepared to serve as "Demonstration School-Communities" thus conducting staff development, community development and curriculum reform workshops and activities for the target urban core schools and districts. Sharing the funding for this project with the National Science Foundation are Arizona State University, the Salt River Project, the Arizona Museum of Science and Industry and the school districts themselves. The $560,270 NSF portion of funding will be matched by $217,489 from the above institutions which is approximately a 39% contribution.
