Evaluation
Inverness Research Associates, a national, independent educational research organization, assessed the Seminars on Science program over an eight year period. Some highlights of the course evaluation for Earth: Inside and Out are below. Links to the full course evaluation and the full program evaluation can be found at the bottom of this page.
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79% of teachers say they gain "a bank of resources for my own learning" |
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78% of teachers say they "used what I learned to create a unit for my students" |
| chemistry and earth science teacher, grades 6-12 |
"She [the scientist] was very good at responding to comments and asking students what they were thinking. She increased the depth of the conversations. When I learned most was when I was thinking about things she said, and asking questions about her responses to my comments. Having a scientist there definitely elevated the discussions." |
73%
of teachers say "the course was more valuable than other professional development available to me locally" | How do teachers say that this course helps their students?
69% "Students now better appreciate the natural world"
60% "Students gain a better understanding of scientific inquiry" |
| private pre-school teacher |
"It was hard and challenging and I was constantly working. I don't think I have ever had anything that stretched my mind so much, but I became a real participant in the conversation, as fully as anyone else. I learned so much in such a short time — from absolutely zero to being a competent part of a professional community of learners about earth." |
