East Bay Collaborative -- RI-ITEST Summer Institute 08

Rhode Island Information Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers

Year 2
Rhode Island College, June 29 - July 2, 2009
85 cohort-2 high school teachers and 80 students take part in second year of RI-ITEST

The RI-ITEST project has now successfully involved over 100 high school science teachers in our second year of this three-year National Science Foundation funded effort. This highly engaging program will provide for over 10,000 Rhode Island high school students this year alone in state-of-the-art technology activities that unify the Physics First sequence of physics, chemistry, biology. Through a technology called computational modeling, the science of atoms and molecules takes on a life of its own as students "see the invisible world" of interactions among these particles. This technology ties the principles of physics, chemistry and biology into a unified conceptual framework that illuminates the investigations done by students in the lab.

**Participant Testimonials**
"I found the RI-ITEST program a key component in my science teaching. Many concepts in science are difficult to visualize and prevent students from understanding the bigger picture. I found the models and simulations currently developed a bridge in providing students a deeper understanding that allows them to see the interrelationship between physics, chemistry and biology" Sam Holtzman, Tollgate High School science department head and science teacher	"RI-ITEST has prepared us to further instruct students in the Physics First program by providing computer modeling that shows visuals for how physics, chemistry and biology relate to each other. One of the questions commonly asked of me by my students, 'why are you doing chemistry in physics?' can now be easily answered." Arthur C. D'Arezzo, physics teacher, Cranston West High School	Classical High School teacher Alexander Major II works with his students (l-r) Lilli White, Aiden Gibson and Julio Contreras on a molecular attraction model.
"I have taken the Physics First class and part 1 of Chemistry: A Natural Approach at EBEC this past year. That is where I first learned about the RI-Itest summer institute. I am extremely pleased with what I have learned thus far. I have found the Molecular Workbench activities to be great learning tools for me, on subject areas that I was a bit rusty in. I am sure my students will benefit from the software, also. I have already forwarded the RI-Itest link to both my principal and assistant superintendent for them to review. My principal has already commented that she read the description of what we are doing here and wants to meet with me about realigning our science courses to better fit with the PCB model being used in many RI schools." Cindy McCabe Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School	"My experiences with RI-Itest have been extremely positive. The degree of professionalism and knowledge of the moderators has been impressive. The program is user friendly, informative, and visually appealing. Unlike many other "teacher" workshops, I feel the RI-Itest program is one that I would actually use in the classroom. It is well thought out, inclusive of the main ideas in each subject area, and presented in such a way that students would be engaged. I explored the Physics portion of RI-Itest since I am teaching a Physics First curriculum. As a Biology trained teacher, I found the RI-Itest Physics module, basic enough, yet expansive in information. The hands on approach to modeling and learning was something I think would engage student interest and add value to the classroom. Overall, if a picture is worth a thousand words, an interactive model that moves and reacts to student inputs is priceless.' Linda DuBois Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School	"My experience with the RI-ITEST Summer Institute has been extremely valuable. The Molecular Workbench and SAMS are tools whose potential value to teaching and students' learning is so far beyond anything else I've found that there is no question I will be incorporating them into my curricula. Everyone I encountered during the institute impressed with me their dedication to the project and their competence in their subject areas as well as their ability to communicate their mission clearly and effectively. I recommend participation in future institutes to all who care about preparing our students for whatever the future holds for them." Elizabeth Walsh Dighton-Rehoboth Regional HS
As I worked with the students I could see their understanding and their ability to ask in-depth, logical questions about the material grow. Jennifer Camoon Lincoln High School

Year 1
Rhode Island College, June 24-28, 2008
(click on either group picture below for full image)

As part of the Physics First High School Reform movement in Rhode Island, 50 teachers and 37 students from around the state took part in the first of several science experiences over the next two years. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, science leaders from the Concord Consortium in Massachusetts kicked off a 4-day institute on a computational modeling curriculum called "The Science of Atoms and Molecules". For their 120 hours of participation over two years, teachers will receive $1600 in stipends and 4 graduate credits in science from Rhode Island College for their work .

All part of Governor Carcieri's plan for improving secondary science education in Rhode Island, the 6 pilot high schools (East Providence, Cranston West, Woonsocket, Portsmouth, Lincoln and Mt Hope High School (Providence) will share a$100,000 grant from the governor to set up Computers-on-wheels (COW's) in each school to allow students to share a computer between two students to study the physics, chemistry and biology of atomic interactions.

37 students from local high schools joined the teachers for the last two days of this summer institute to test the new ideas and find ways to put them into practice during the school year. A second cohort of 50 teachers will begin the same process in the summer of 09. The National Science Foundation grant was awarded to the partnership between the Concord Consortium, Rhode Island College and the East Bay Educational Collaborative which will oversee the delivery and implementation of the 3-year program.

Take a ride on a "spaceship" traveling through human hemoglobin , see what atoms would "see" if you were on a ride in a chemical interaction, or if you're feeling really brave, try synthesizing proteins in molecular biology. All this and more at the Concord Consortium website for the Rhode Island Information Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers website. Click the button

Then click on the button in the top right-hand corner marked "RiITEST"