| RABIES Student Outreach Project - The Rice Association of Biologically InclinEd Students (RABIES) organizes a one-day science workshop that targets sixth grade students from over ten HISD middle schools. Laboratory experiments are led by university student volunteers from RABIES, the Society of Physics Students and OWLchemy (student affiliates of the American Chemical Society). Participants select and attend two of four workshop sessions in the areas of biology, chemistry, physics, and neurobiology. This program, which began in 1995 and is supported through HHMI funds, engages about 50 middle school students, allowing them the chance to interact with 25 university students each year. | |
|
University/College Coalition & Professional Development Task Force-As part of the Houston Independent School District's Urban Systemic Initiative, recently funded by the National Science Foundation, a University/College Coalition has been formed that brings together representatives from all area institutions of higher education to support the district's efforts at reform in science, mathematics and technology instruction. Charged with the particular task of assisting the district to identify and meet specific professional development needs, the Professional Development Task Force meets monthly at area institutions. All of the Precollege Science Education Programs' staff are actively involved in the University/College Coalition and the Director of Precollege Science Education Programs chairs the Professional Development Task Force. |
|
|
The Rice School/La Escuela Rice Science Curriculum Development-The Rice School/La Escuela Rice opened in 1994 as a collaborative effort between the Houston Independent School District and Rice University. Precollege Science Education Programs staff have been involved on the campus since that first year. Currently, Rice University supports professional development for the school's teachers in the areas of science and technology, assist with student projects, and provide expertise in the designing and maintenance of the school's web site. During the 1998-99 school year, through HHMI funds, Rice University was able to support a laboratory coordinator for elementary science who assisted classroom teachers in planning and delivering appropriate reform-based science lessons. In September, 1999, Rice University was able to extend a $10,000 grant to the school to fund a School Yard Habitat that will feature a wetlands, prairie and pond habitats. |
|
|
United Independent School District - In another joint effort with Baylor College of Medicine, expertise and seed money for curricula and student enrichment projects has been provided to a new Health Sciences Magnet School in Laredo's United Independent School District. The primary focus at the school is on an integrated curriculum, cooperative learning strategies, hands on experiences for students, the use of technology, and the concept of making learning relevant to real life situations. |
|
| Westbury High School Curriculum Reform Westbury High School, located in the Houston Independent School District, began its science curriculum reform effort with its faculty and administration working with scientists and representatives from the Department of Education at Rice University to create an integrated science and math program. In 1994, funding was provided from HHMI for two years of release time for a teacher to serve as a coordinator to develop the curriculum initiatives at Westbury, a Coalition of Essential Schools affiliated campus. Funding was also provided to help meet needs identified through the coordinator's efforts. | |
| Rice University Science Lending Facility - The office of the Director of Precollege Science Education Programs is located in the Center for Professional Development at The Rice School/La Escuela Rice. By working on the K-8 campus, the precollege program staff is readily accessible to teachers and students, and they serve as an informal liaison, providing the connection between Rice School teachers and students with Rice University faculty and other resources. Representatives from student organizations at Rice University make classroom presentations and assist students with independent projects. The Director also maintains the Rice University Science Lending Facility, a collection of laboratory equipment that is available to teachers who have participated in HHMI-sponsored activities. |
||current teacher programs || student programs || other outreach || teacher resources || home || contact us||
Last Updated 10/12/2001Questions and comments concerning this page may be directed to Marty Daniel.
http://bioc.rice.edu/precollege