DOE Laboratory Science Teachers Professional Development (LSTPD) Program Science Alive Project
General Information:
LSTPD is a nationwide DOE education program for elementary, middle and high school teachers. The LSTPD Science Alive Project, at PNNL, is a 4-week teacher institute for teachers of grades 3, 4 and 5. The focus is on environmental science and it is designed to enhance a teacher's understanding of the life and earth science content, skills and habits of mind that are the "building blocks" upon which the science modules used in our region are based. Teachers will be guided in problem solving activities leading to new understandings of the tools, processes, drama and benefits of science inquiry. Teachers are engaged in an advanced content course where they deepen their content knowledge using an experiential learning model. This program builds on PNNL's highly successful Science Alive and Partnership for Arid Lands Stewardship (PALS) Teacher Institutes. Teachers who participate in the Science Alive Institute work directly with PNNL scientists, a Science Education Program staff member, and a master teacher.
During this three-year program, teachers are expected to work with other teachers in their school (Year 1) and to expand to work with teachers in their district (Year 2) and teachers in other districts in the region (Year 3). Teachers have been recruited from North Franklin, Kennewick and Sunnyside School districts to participate in this three year program.
Program Requirements:
- Create a Professional Development Plan.
- Develop a Teacher Work Sample based on a multiple week instructional sequence that is planned and implemented.
- Complete pre and post surveys.
- Develop additional work samples based upon the summer experience.
- Work with other teachers in your school, district and region to disseminate the lessons developed to fill in the "gaps" in the current curriculum.
Teacher Compensation:
- Stipend of $800/week
- Travel allowance
- Follow-on awards of up to $2,000 for classroom materials and up to $2,000 for professional development
For more information please contact: kj.wieda@pnl.gov.
