This project, sponsored by the Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology Education at Colorado State University, will offer a three year interdisciplinary science program to 40 middle school and junior high school teachers from representative districts in the state of Colorado. Each summer these teachers will be taught the fundamental concepts of biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics and physics appropriate to the grade level using a content intensive thematic approach. In the academic year following the summer program the participants, with the help of project staff, will work toward implementing the new curriculum in their schools. They will do this by incorporating the new modules into the everyday curriculum, by conducting whole school projects and by offering teacher-to-teacher workshops. When the project is completed there will remain a cadre of teacher leaders who will be able to disseminate innovative instructional models for middle school interdisciplinary science. The NSF award is being matched with funds from the school districts and the university by an amount equivalent to 52% of the NSF grant.
