This project involves two workshops which will train approximately fifty teachers to become science mentor specialists in using hands-on materials and understanding science concepts of physical science taught in the elementary schools. The teachers will be selected in teams of two, one K-3 and one 4-6 grade teacher coming from each school participating in the project. The workshops will provide the mentors with lesson plans and well-organized kits of materials for each hands-on unit; as well as training in use of materials and how to support other teachers' use of the activities. The mentors will select the appropriate physical science units for the grade levels of their school and then provide inservice for the other teachers in their building, thus developing a total school program of hands-on physical science. The participant schools will provide stipends to their teachers, release time for inservice sessions, and pay for the science materials which will be ordered and organized by the workshop. Project evaluation, problem sharing, and long range program planning will be accomplished at two support sessions for all mentor teachers scheduled during the school year. The cost sharing will be 34% of the NSF portion.
