Teachers will get chance to boost science training
By From staff reports
Published in News on September 23, 2011 1:46 PM
Wayne County Public Schools is one of three districts in the state selected to share a $175,000 grant affording science teachers the opportunity to take part in professional development opportunities, officials announced.
The three-year grant will allow 25 teachers per year from Wayne, Beaufort and Craven counties to travel to East Carolina University one Saturday a month throughout the school year to receive 84 hours of staff development in the area of physical science.
According to district officials, each year WCPS will have a different group of nine teachers participate. This year, it will be middle grade science teachers, with one chosen from each middle school.
Participants will also be paid a $125 stipend, as well as receiving a free lunch during the session.
The goal of the grant is to use professional development to engage students in learning about the physical sciences. During the summer, the educators will spend three days at ECU developing curriculum units to be taught at a weeklong summer camp, also to be held at the college.
Teachers will then bring back materials to share with other physical science teachers in the district. The group will also serve as mentors for next year's participating teachers, from grades 3-5.
The third year of the grant will afford the same opportunity to K-2 teachers.