Launching the Teacher Research and Mentoring ARMADA

University Of Rhode Island, Kingston RI

Investigators

Abstract

This is a comprehensive, national, 5-year project to develop a system for fostering sustainable partnerships between ocean science researchers, teachers and professional scientist-educators. Partners in the collaboration include: The University of Rhode Island Graduate school of Oceanography, the Joint Oceanographic Institutions, the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education and the Jason Foundation. The goals of: 1) fostering SMT teacher retention and renewal through pedagogy and content training, research experiences and mentoring activities, and 2) to advance and sustain the integration of the ocean science research enterprise with the K-12 education will be achieved through: 1) Training and Research; 2) Mentoring New Teachers; 3) An ARMADA Framework and Resource Dissemination. Each year twelve Master Teachers (MT) will join the ARMADA. Each MT will subsequently mentor two new teachers for two years. There are a total of 216 participants. A one-week preparation workshop will precede the ship-based summer research experience. This will be followed by active participation in a 10-20-day summer ocean science research experience. Structured sessions for ARMADA teachers at professional meetings, such as NSTA, will strengthen the professional learning community of teachers interested in oceanographic research and education.