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Partnership for Inquiry-Based Science
About the Program
Established in 1995 to provide Seattle´s elementary students with more engaging, rigorous science education, the
Partnership for Inquiry-Based Science seeks to systemically increase achievement and build scientific
literacy among all students in Seattle Public Schools. Led by the Seattle School District, the Partnership engages
and is supported by a broad range of regional collaborators, including the University of Washington, the Stuart
Foundation, the Alliance for Education, The Boeing Company, the City of Seattle, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research
Center, and the Institute for Systems Biology.
Our Approach
It takes both internal and external support to increase achievement and build scientific literacy for all of Seattle's students. This Partnership builds student and teacher interest and knowledge in science through:
- Science Resource Teachers - Exemplary classroom teachers who have received special
training in science content, pedagogy, and facilitation of adults' learning. They provide school-based support for their colleagues' implementation of the instructional materials by modeling, co-teaching, coaching and critiquing classroom presentations. In addition, they organize and lead the district-wide science professional development programs; and
- Science Materials Center - Manages grades K-10 science curricular materials for
Seattle´s schools, including purchasing, maintaining/refurbishing, scheduling, and distribution.
Program Highlights
In addition
to these resources, through the strong partnership with the University of Washington, Partnership staff, Science Resource Teachers and other teachers have access to professional development from university scientists. These sessions help teachers build accurate conceptual understandings, recognize and overcome misconceptions, and gain experience with scientific inquiry.
One of the first programs of its kind in the country, the Partnership:
- Fosters the infusion of research-validated, standards-linked, inquiry-based elementary science
curricular materials into all Seattle elementary schools;
- Leverages university and other resources, nurturing sustainable partnerships
between the district and higher education;
- Fosters collaborations across grade levels and among schools through study groups
and other shared learning experiences; and
- Institutionalizes school-based professional development through building
self-sustaining learning communities within and among schools.
The Partnership has provided substantial professional development (more than
100 hours in many cases) for virtually all 1,200 of Seattle's K-5 teachers, immensely strengthening the science teaching capacity of Seattle's elementary teaching workforce. This, in turn, has resulted in improved science
education for approximately 32,200 students to date.
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