Title: QUEST: Quality Elementary Science Teaching, 3/08-8/11
PI: Deborah Hanuscin, Science Education, MU
Co-PIs: Delinda Van Garderen, Special Education, MU
GRAs: Deepika Menon
Funding Agent: Missouri Department of Higher Education
Amount: $306,777.
QUEST is a professional development program directed toward improving K-6 teachers’ content knowledge of physical science, use of formative assessment, and ability to support all learners through applying principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). A unique component of the project is the week-long, half-day kids’ QUEST program that takes place in conjunction with the teacher summer institute. The program not only provides outreach to local students, but also gives teachers an opportunity to put their new knowledge and skills into practice before returning to apply them in their own classrooms.

Title: Maps in Medicine, 2007-2012
PI: Bill Folk, School of Medicine, MU
Co-PIs: Susan Ailor (Medicine), Anand Chandrasekhar (Biology), Miriam Golomb (Biology), Marcelle Siegel (Science Education), MU
GRAs: Tina Roberts, Will Romine
Funding Agent: Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Amount: $750,000.
In this project, we are designing inquiry-based curriculum and professional development for high school biology students and teachers. The project integrates geospatial and biological imaging technologies to promote understanding of public health, cell and developmental biology, and medical sciences. It includes a cross-cultural study of the intersection of evidence-based medicine and traditional healing. We are developing two instructional modules, Mapping Health and Mapping Cell Fate.

For more information, please see COE Newsletter.

Title: ReSMAR²T: Researching Science and Mathematics Teacher Learning in Alternative Certification, 06/06-05/11
PI: Sandra Abell, Science Education, MU
Co-PIs: Pat Friedrichsen and Mark Volkmann, Science Education; Fran Arbuagh, Kathryn Chval and John Lannin, Mathematics Education, MU
GRAs: Science Education: Deanna Lankford, Enrique Pareja, Aaron Sickel and Andrew West; Mathematics Education: Christa Jackson, Sarah Hicks, and Matt Webb
Funding Agent: National Science Foundation
Amount: $2,000,000.
This research project examines science and mathematics teacher learning in the context of an alternative certification program (designed for individuals with baccalaureate degrees in science or mathematics) that employs two different models of field-based preparation.  To examine the development of teacher knowledge for teaching in these two models, we are collecting longitudinal data from 72 participants at five transition points in their programs using a data collection cycle that includes lesson planning, observation, stimulated recall, and reflection.

Title: CUES:  Connecting Undergraduates to the Enterprise of Science, 9/06-8/09
PI: Frank Schmidt, Biochemistry, MU
Co-PIs: Sandra Abell, Science Education; Jan Weaver, Honors College; John Adams, Chemistry, MU
GRAs: Steve Witzig
Funding Agent: National Science Foundation
Amount: $450,000.
The purpose of this project l is to extend our proof-of-concept work on Converting Cookbook Labs into Inquiry in three ways:  1) by transforming more cookbook laboratories into the CUES mini-journal format, 2) through professional development for faculty and future faculty members at our university and partner institutions, and 3) by conducting research and evaluation about teaching and learning in CUES classrooms.  The ultimate goal is to increase undergraduate student understanding of science through improving the introductory science experience.

Title: A TIME for Physics First: Academy for Teachers - Inquiry and Modeling Experiences for Physics First, 10/05-10/08
PI: Sara Torres, Science Coordinator, Columbia Public Schools
PI for MU: Meera Chandrasekhar, Physics
Co-PIs: Mark Volkmann, Science Education; James Tarr, Mathematics Education; Dorina Kosztin, Physics, MU
Funding Agent: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Amount: $3,000,000
A-TIME for Physics First is formulated with the immediate (3-year) goal of designing and implementing a professional development curriculum for teachers to teach Physics First in 9th grade classrooms. The project's long-term goal is to increase the proficiency of students in science as evidenced by MAP scores, increase the number of highly qualified physics/physical science teachers, and to increase students' interest and success in science/ engineering degrees.

Title: Center for Mathematics and Science Teacher Education, 09/03-08/08
PI: Sandra Abell, Science Education, MU
Co-PI: Kathryn Chval, Mathematics Education, MU
Funding Agent: US Department of Education
Amount: $1,490,238
The mission of the Center is to increase the quantity and quality of middle level and secondary mathematics and science teachers in the state of Missouri. To achieve this mission, the Center will focus on the primary objectives of recruitment and retention, and the secondary objectives of teacher preparation and renewal. The ultimate goal of the Center is to triple the number of grade 5-12 mathematics and science teachers produced at the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU).