Scientists and Teachers Working Together:

Nobody Rides the Short Bus

Lowcountry Partners for Inquiry Teaching and Learning is a NSF GK-12 funded project to foster graduate student development in partnership with local school districts. Ten pre-college teachers (grades 3-10) were paired with ten graduate students from the Medical University of South Carolina and the College of Charleston. Pairs work together an average of ten hours a week. Their individual, but very different strengths have been utilized over three years introducing graduate students to current educational reforms and pedagogy, and providing teachers with laboratory experience to reinforce a constructivist approach to science teaching.

In year one, teachers and fellows through courses and seminars bonded and increased their knowledge and use of inquiry for instruction. Both performed science as inquiry and engaged in continuing assessment of their teaching and student learning. In year two, the group examined text and developed action research plans to examine the role of tact in instruction. Teachers and fellows worked in partnerships in the school, not just the classroom, to promote a culture of action research that fosters continuing examination and modification of teaching practices. Finally, in year three, our partners’ efforts are being published in professional development offerings as the community of schools is being abreast of their activities and findings.

These partnerships have and will stimulate a culture where action research promotes reflection and ongoing modification of teaching practices. Courses offered over the grant period may be reviewed at our web site http://www.musc.edu/grad/NSF/nsfhome.htm. They foster interaction of scientist and teacher as partners and emphasize that the strength of the pair was due to their mutual contributions.