Flinn Foundation Grant

Flinn Foundation Grant: 2002-3. Closed out previous budgets and accounting and had the budget moved to the SMLC. Revised the budget to support the preservice teacher kits (expanded to include middle and high school in addition to elementary level teachers), a science methods faculty retreat, and to support the hiring and salary of a new science education faculty member for 2 year. Preservice science teacher kits (550) were ordered and distributed to X classes across the mountain campus and the statewide system. A Science Methods Faculty Retreat was hosted November 1-3 at La Posada in Winslow. Ten faculty and invited guests attended. Each person in attendance will receive $500 for professional development or materials to enhance their science methods course. The Science Education position was advertised in November with review of applications starting in December. 32 applications were received.

Flinn Foundation Grant: 2000-2002. Under the guidance of Lee Drickamer, I have hosted 4 meeting of faculty across A&S and CEE to discuss the Flinn grant. To date, I have made the following contributions to the project: 1) Purchase of 5 computers, two printers, computer software, and an electronic white board to support the previewing of educational software and instructional materials by science and mathematics teachers in the SMLC. 2) Creation of a statewide system of support for elementary science methods instruction through the development and distribution of Elementary Science Teacher Resource Kits. The student kits, which will be provided to all elementary methods students in the NAU statewide system (approximately 600 students across 17 statewide locations) include: a student membership to the National Science Teachers Association (including a subscription to Science and Children), the National Science Education Standards, Pathways to the Elementary Science Standards, The Pillbug Project, and Ten-Minute Field Trips. A professional version of the above materials will be provided to the Elementary Science Methods instructors around the state. I negotiated this agreement on behalf of NAU with the National Science Teachers Association at a 40% discount. 3) Arranged for a Flinn conference strand at the Arizona Science Teachers Association annual conference in October. This conference typically draws 500 teachers statewide. The Flinn strand will focus on issues related to elementary science teaching for preservice teachers and elementary science methods instruction of inservice teachers. We will assist 200 preservice teachers and their methods instructors with reduced conference registration and will host a bus between Flagstaff and Phoenix for the two days of the conference.