Ellie Fitts Fulmer, Assistant Professor of Education, and colleagues presented last week at the US Department of Education’s conference for Math Science Partnerships in Baltimore, MD. The presentation, titled, “Partnering for Success: A Unique Museum-District-Higher Education Partnership” discussed the strengths and challenges of the 12-year teacher professional development program, Greater Allentown Math Science Partnership (GAMSP), in Allentown, PA, of which Dr. Fulmer was a faculty member and coordinator for most of the program’s duration (2005-2013).
Over the course of its 12 years, GAMSP led teachers predominantly from Allentown School District grades K-8 in expanding their knowledge of inquiry teaching and deepening content knowledge in earth, physical, and natural sciences and statistics, algebra, and geometry mathematics. Over its duration, GAMSP received multiple awards for professional development at the local, state, and federal level. Among the unique features of GAMSP was the reliance on a teachers-as-stakeholders model of planning, in which teachers-participants had a strong voice in what they wanted to learn in math and science; and the unique collaborative (non-hierarchical) relationship between college faculty, K-12 teacher leaders, and science center staff. Measured quantitatively, the program produced significant gains in teacher content knowledge, inquiry teaching. Additionally, student growth as measured by the Pennsylvania State System of Assessment (PSSA) showed significant gains made by children who had one or more teachers who had participated in the program when compared with peers who had none.
Co-presenters included Sally Wolfe, teacher in the Allentown School District and GAMSP faculty, and Dr. Kate Popejoy, coordinator of the GAMSP since 2013. Dr. David Smith, Senior Director of Science and Strategy at the Da Vinci Science Center, was lead author. Presentation materials can be accessed at: http://www.ed-msp.net/images/public_documents/document/2016Conference/Popejoy_Sassone.pdf
