The SMART Center, University of Houston and the Center for Chemical Education (CCE) at Miami University (in Ohio).have directed teacher enhancement programs sponsored by the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA)

The program utilizing TOYS (Teaching Our Youth Science) materials is a two-week elementary teacher workshop at the University of Houston. The program is directed towards enhancement of the K-6 elementary school teachers’ content knowledge, expertise in directing students to perform scientific hands-on activities, and develop an attitude towards an active presentation of science in the elementary school curriculum along with sensitivity to the learning styles of the students.

Check this site for future offerings

Now for some details of the program

  1. The Project includes a two-week summer workshop and two follow up days in early Spring. Additionally, teachers will bring a teacher who did not attend the summer workshop or school administrator to the Spring follow-up workshop.
  2. Fifteen teachers (Grades K-6) will be selected from schools in the Greater Houston area.
  3. The summer Workshop will be conducted at the University of Houston. Summer classes will be held daily for two weeks for six hours. The first meeting will be at the University of Houston Main Campus. The follow-up workshops will also take place at the university with dates to be decided.
  4. The teachers will be given instruction in topics from the internationally recognized TOYS curriculum, which are in alignment with the TEKS.
  5. The instructional staff will model teaching strategies.
  6. Hands on activities will be incorporated to enhance conceptual learning.
  7. Teacher participants will receive course credit from Miami University upon successful completion of the summer and Spring follow-up workshops.
  8. Participant Benefits ­- Program pays:
    1. Tuition for course credit
    2. All workshop materials.Refreshments and Lunch
    3. Parking

Each teacher will receive a stipend upon completion of the two-week Summer and Spring follow-up workshops. Teacher must attend all workshop sessions to receive the stipend.

If interested, please contact Mamie Moy.
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