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"The Science Collaborative has changed my life. The things that I have learned, I have been able to put into practice in my classroom in all areas.   Thelma Rose, Science Teacher  
Rogers ISD  
Shell Awards Grant to TRC

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TRC Partners

 

 

 

 

Overview

The Texas Regional Collaboratives
(TRC) for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching program in partnership with the Shell will support Texas educators with the training necessary to (1) improve the teaching and learning of geosciences; (2) encourage students to pursue advanced science courses which lead to careers in geosciences, engineering, and environmental science; (3) engage students in science fairs projects related to geosciences, oil mining, production, and refining; (4) facilitate the public engagement in community issues and sustainable development projects; and (5) conduct fieldtrips to wetlands, museums, refineries, and unique geological sites across the state; and (6) establish the Louisiana Regional Collaboratives for Excellence in Science Teaching.

  February 2, 2005

Over the four-year duration of the Project, this partnership will directly serve a total of 500 teachers, each of whom will be involved in an Education Public Outreach (EPO) program to provide high quality professional development to an average of 20 teachers. Through the EPO effort, the Shell-Regional Collaboratives Partnership will serve a total of 10,000 teachers and impact the learning of over 830,000 students across Texas.

Key science education representatives from the state of Louisiana will be invited to participate in organizational meetings, Professional Development Academies, advisory board meetings, Honoring the Teachers events, and annual meetings. TRC will provide information on strategies of replicating the Texas Regional Collaboratives Statewide Network to improve the teaching and learning of science in Louisiana.

The purpose, objectives, and activities of this proposed project are consistent with the Shell Social Investment strategy of aligning social investments with business objectives.

The Texas Regional Collaboratives model builds statewide leadership capacity through training of Instructional Team Members (ITMs). ITMs are empowered to affect change at the regional level by training science teachers who represent campuses and school districts throughout the region. With support from the Shell, the Texas Regional Collaboratives will:



Project Impact

The Shell-Regional Collaboratives Partnership will result in excellent returns for Shell and the Texas Regional Collaboratives by benefiting educators, teachers, students, and communities across Texas. Returns on the investment for the partnership include the following:

  • Development of knowledge and pedagogical skills of instructional team members and science teachers focusing on the geosciences and including environmental science, careers awareness, and instructional strategies that are effective with ALL students.
  • Training and access to high quality research-based instructional materials that address the geosciences.
  • Support for student participation in local and regional science fairs with special Shell geosciences awards and funding.
  • Implementation of community-wide service projects across the state focusing on geosciences, environmental science and informal community education.
  • Design and implementation of innovative field experiences for teachers focusing on the geosciences, geosciences careers, and environmental science.
  • Development and dissemination of authentic lesson plans to enhance educational potential of field experiences for students.
  • Mentoring, training, and support for Louisiana educators and policymakers interested in creating a professional development program modeled after the Texas Regional Collaboratives.
  • Increased visibility for the Shell in the Texas State Legislature, with state and local policymakers, and in the statewide science education community.
  • Highlighting of Shell’s commitment to science education through statewide activities as well as partnership promotion at the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching, the Texas Regional Collaboratives Annual Meeting, the National Science Teachers Association conference, and the Texas Regional Collaboratives website.

A significant impact of this project is the sustainability of the project beyond the four-year duration of the grant. Training of Instructional Team Members and science teachers will develop the leadership capacity necessary to continue professional development and mentoring to hundreds of new teachers in the future. Students who are served by these teachers and whose geoscience education is supported and enhanced by participation in science fairs, field trips, and community service projects will continue to benefit from the strong foundation laid for them.

Taking a Closer Look PDA

Shell funded our June 3-10, 2006 field experience to the Guadalupe and Davis Mountains. Project Directors, teachers, and other professional development professionals were facilitated by content experts in astronomy, botany, and geology. The tour included hiking trips in the Guadalupe Mountains, tours of the McDonald Observatory telescopes, and hands-on classes in all topics. Participants contributed to an online multimedia journal. Download a summary presentation.


Honoring the Teachers Events Sponsored by Shell

 

Shell 2007 Distinguished Teaching and Mentoring Awards

 


Shell Distinguished Teaching Award
Craig Weart
High School IPC Teacher
Weslaco ISD
Region 1 Collaborative/Edinburg

Shell Distinguished Mentoring Award

Genny DeVoe
Elementary School Science Teacher
Amarillo ISD
Region 16 Collaborative/Amarillo

Renee East
Elementary School Science Teacher
Amarillo ISD
Region 16 Collaborative/Amarillo

 



Resource Links

Louisiana Regional Collaboratives for Excellence in Science Teaching



Contact Information

Kamil A. Jbeily, Ph.D., Executive Director
Telephone: 512-471-9460
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.edb.utexas.edu/faculty/Jbeily

Marsha Willis, Professional Development Coordinator
Telephone: 512-232-5015
Email: [email protected]