Teachers Jeri Harper-Deninger, left, Arcadia Elementary School; and Krista Woodward, Hillsboro Elementary School; demonstrate the hearing device they designed in the "Sound & Music and Simple Machines" session of the Washburn Academy, Western Technical College, and UW-L two-week science class on campus the weeks of July 14 and 21. The second week of the summer workshop is "Light & Color and Lenses & Mirrors." Photo by Steve Harris, physics.

'Science & Stipends & Supplies - Oh My'
Elementary teachers on campus honing science skills

They're back!

Onalaska Elementary School fourth grade teacher Shari Eberhardt and Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan fifth grade teacher Thomas Cummings - and 95 percent of all of the teachers who've attended - are back for the third and final year of "Science & Stipends & Supplies  - Oh My." The course on campus is designed to enhance the knowledge of first through high school teachers.

In July 2006, 38 teachers enrolled in the first year of classes on matter and moving objects. In July 2007, 40 participated in courses on electricity and magnetism. This year, 34 area teachers are attending classes on light, color, sound and music and simple machines.

The classes are possible because of a $372,000 three-year grant written by the Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) #4, and a collaborative effort with the Washburn Academy, Western Technical College and UW-L.

CESA #4 is one of 12 non-profit Wisconsin agencies which serve educational needs throughout Wisconsin. The Washburn Academy is a professional development opportunity offered by CESA. Each summer, 400 to 500 teachers and administrators attend summer workshops offered through the Washburn Academy, such as those on campus geared to excite them about teaching science.

Science exciting?

It can be, if it's taught with enthusiasm and confidence, says Gubbi Sudhakaran, physics, one of the instructors of this year's classes at UW-L. Instructors joining Sudhakaran are Aaron Monte, chemistry; Mike LeDocq, Western Technical College; and Gerianne Wettstein, Southern Bluffs Elementary School.

This year, hands-on science classes were supplemented with a luncheon speech by Mike Thompson, executive assistant to the state's superintendent of schools, on skills needed for the 21st century.

"We need to increase the number of kids in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) areas," Thompson says. "Additionally, rigor, relevance and relationships are central to the curriculum in today's schools. We want kids to see how what they're learning prepares them for the future."

Wisconsin educators seek to improve life, thinking and learning skills of students and to provide future businesses with innovative, adaptable, collaborators with people skills, he explains.

"Everybody's a player in this," says Cheryl Hanson, director of CESA #4. "These skills transcend the education field and the work force arena and are necessary to keep Wisconsin viable," she says. 

The three-year program on campus gives teachers a solid science background and helps build their confidence in what they're teaching, helping them ignite a passion for science in kids, Hanson says.

The program offers a hands-on, inquiry approach to help teachers encourage higher-level thinking skills and engage students in collaborative problem solving.

"Through the classes we're exposed to resources I didn't realize were available to us," says elementary teacher Eberhardt. "The course has really widened our world - our science world." 

Pre-made kits come with the demonstrations participants engage in during the two weeks. 

“With budget cuts,” says Cummings, “it’s especially difficult to provide hands-on activities for students.” The kits help, he says. So does the $700 participants can spend each year for classroom equipment in their schools.

Additionally, participants receive a resource of lesson plans from other educators designed during the two-week workshop. They are also supported throughout the school year with, not only two follow-up sessions, but on-line support through discussions and networking.

“Learning from peers and the excellent resources the classes provide help participants add excitement to what they teach students,” Cummings says.