This is a comprehensive plan to deliver elementary science instruction throughout rural Minnesota schools. It is modeled on the MN Public School System plan which provides teachers with a hands-on, inquiry-based science curriculum package and a centralized materials distribution network. Over a period of three years, two teams of Master Teachers will provide workshops at each of the Minnesota Educational Cooperative Service Units for approximated 900 elementary and middle school teachers. Most of the participants in the program will then work as District Trainers with their administrators to provide inservice in science education within their schools and/or districts. A number of the participants will be Regional Trainers who will function as science resource persons in their respective regions, and who will work with the District Trainers in providing local inservices. This proposal is appropriate for the Teacher Enhancement Program because of its systemic plan to enhance the science teaching of rural teachers in the state of Minnesota. Non-NSF cost-sharing is approximately 2% of the amount requested from NSF.
