The Physical Science Companion Project (continued)
The Physical Science Companion Project is based on a matrix developed from the SC Department of Education (SDE) approved Physical Science End of Course Standards and including objectives, activities, web sites, ITV resources, textbook correlations, as outlined in the Physical Science Course Guide developed by the SDE and a committee of exemplary Physical Science Teachers in 2002.
The pilot phase of the Physical Science Companion began in Jan 2004 with a graduate level physics course offered at USC-Columbia with 30 participants. The course was again offered during summer session I at USC-Columbia with 30 participants. Selected participating teachers fell in two categories:
- Targeted Teachers who have been assigned to teach Physical Science (PS) and wish to strengthen their background in Physical Science. These teachers are also striving to achieve "highly Qualified status” by 2005. Targeted teachers were enrolled in a graduate level physics course designed to improve their content expertise, mathematical thinking, ability to design and execute laboratory activities, and understanding of the PS standards. The teachers were supported by weekly coaching and follow up from a highly qualified mentor teacher.
- Mentor (coaching) teachers who are highly qualified, experienced Physics, Chemistry, or Physical Science teachers and who are located in close proximity to the targeted teachers. Mentor teachers were enrolled in the course along with the teachers they were coaching and also participated in coaching training. Coaches met with their teachers to plan and observe lessons and to reflect on these lessons and coach the teacher towards acquiring a higher level of confidence and competence in teaching PS. Coaches received graduate credit for the course as well and were also involved in developing resources for the Physical Science Companion Project web site.
Teachers in the Physical Science Companion program have access to a web site, lab equipment and materials, lesson plans correlated to their adopted PS textbook, and on site expertise that will support them in their work with children.
In addition, one-day workshops conducted by experienced Physical Science teachers will showcase best practice, laboratory safety, assessment strategies, and a question and answer session on the Physical Science End of Course Test. The one-day workshops were piloted during the summer of 2004 with 60 teachers participating. Physical Science Companion one-day workshops scheduled for the fall, spring & summer of 2004-05 include:
- October 15, 2004 - Anderson School districts
- November 6, 2004 - Berkeley School district-Goose Creek HS
- November 1, 2004 - Lander University-Upper Savannah area districts
- November 5, 2004 - Charleston Convention Center during (SC) 2
- January 4, 2005 - Charleston County School district
- January 6, 2005 - PeeDee area-Florence
- March 12, 2005 - Ruth Patrick Science Center-Aiken area districts-3 hrs-physics
- March 25, 2005 - York Cty Jr. High
- June 3, 2005 - Battery Creek HS-Low Country area districts
- June 13, 2005 - Waccamaw HS-Georgetown and Horry districts
