the program

The Summer Research Program for Secondary School Science Teachers, established in 1990 by Dr. Samuel C. Silverstein, contributes to the improvement of middle and high school students’ understanding of science by providing their teachers with experience in the practice of science. Teachers participate in the Program for two consecutive summers as members of research teams led by Columbia University faculty. Through the summer of 2006, 160 high school, 24 middle school and two science staff developers have participated in the Program. They report that their experiences have engaged them intellectually, provided them with new avenues for personal and professional growth, increased their appreciation of the process of scientific discovery, and enhanced their ability to communicate the excitement of science to their students and fellow teachers. Teachers report that these experiences have revitalized their science teaching by encouraging them to increase laboratory-based constructivist learning in their classrooms. They have given them insight into the personal qualities and technical skills needed to work as a laboratory technician, graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, and senior scientist, thereby aiding them in providing guidance and encouragement to students. Participating teachers are expected to share their research experiences and new skills with their students and fellow teachers. The Program’s ongoing analysis of the effects of teacher participation on student outcomes shows that students of participating teachers demonstrate an increased interest and performance in science.

From its inception, the Program has been governed by an Advisory Committee composed of faculty from the University and by teachers selected from the Program’s alumni. Dr. O. Roger Anderson, Professor of Natural Sciences at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and of the Department of Math and Science Education at Teachers College, has been a member of the Program Advisory Committee since 1991. Dr. Anderson provides assistance in science pedagogy for participating teachers. Each summer, Dr. Anderson and at least one of the program’s alumni meet with teachers individually and in small groups to assist them in developing a plan for transferring concepts and techniques acquired in Columbia laboratories to their classrooms.

Program participants gather on 10 mornings during the summer. These meetings are led by Jay Dubner, the Program’s Coordinator, and serve four major purposes:

1) Science Content: Teachers participate in an informal seminar on a topic of broad general interest led by Columbia faculty or a speaker from another of New York’s science-rich institutions;

2) Science Communication: Teachers describe their research to one another at regularly scheduled oral presentations or poster sessions;

3) Science Teaching: Teachers discuss common problems and exchange ideas on what works in the classroom.

4) Peer Coaching: First-year teachers find it very helpful to have the guidance of second-year colleagues.

Columbia’s Program provides each teacher with a stipend of $6,000 in each of the two summers, a modem or network card for his/her school’s computer, $1,000 following each summer to purchase supplies, materials and equipment for the classroom, and the opportunity to attend a professional conference.

Twenty-four secondary school science teachers participated in the Program from June 29 to August 23, 2006. They conducted research in cancer biology, cell biology, chemistry, environmental science, genetics, immunology, materials science and engineering, microbiology, molecular biology, nanotechnology, neurobiology, and toxicology under the mentorship and supervision of twenty-four Columbia University faculty.