Upton Science Education Academy

The Upton Science Education Academy was partially funded by the Frederick S. Upton Foundation to provide professional development in science for elementary school teachers in Berrien County.  The need for improvements in science in elementary teaching is well documented.  The results of a recent survey from the National Science Teacher’s Association and the Third International Math and Science Study show U.S. students are woefully unprepared to teach science.

The goals for the academy are:

• Enhanced contact knowledge of earth, physical and life science.  This includes the big ideas in the content fields, the significant concepts and the development of conceptual maps regarding the sequencing of earth, physical and life science content with elementary students.
• Applications of inquiry-based earth, physical and life science content for all elementary aged students.
• Beginning a hands-on, laboratory-based earth, physical and life science sequence in their classroom that engages students in the inquiry method.
  

The science teachers chosen to be accepted into this program are nominated by their elementary school principals from Berrien County school districts.  WMU-Southwest is pleased to improve the science content proficiency of these local elementary teachers and the students who benefit from their knowledge.