The Vermont Elementary Science Project is based on the recommendations from the National Center for Improving Science Education's recent reports on assessment; curriculum and technology; and teacher development in elementary science. The project will develop a regional staff development and training model for improving elementary science education. This model for instructional change will be developed through extensive work with existing state structures such as the Vermont State Education Department, the Vermont Science Teachers' Association, the Vermont Higher Education Consortium, Middlebury College and local school districts. Teams of teachers and administrators from the selected school districts will be trained in the following areas: science content (physical science) and teaching methods for "hands-on-minds-on"; ideas related to the conditions in schools which support science education and change; and implementation plans for the improvement of science teaching at the elementary school level. The project will then provide continuous support for the changes necessary in order to implement and sustain good science teaching and good science programs in these districts. The evaluation of the program will include addressing the issue of student change, and will be based on the State's new assessment program which will involve the evaluation of the products produced for student portfolios. The cost sharing for the project will be 35% of the NSF portion.
