MERCK PARTNERSHIP

The Partnersh= ip for Systemic Change: A School/Business Collaboration to Enhance Science, Mathematics, and Technology Teaching and Learning

The Merck Institute for Science Educati= on and the school districts of Linden, Rahway, and Readington Township in New Jersey and = North Penn in Pennsylvania, established a partnership 10 years ago to improve sci= ence and mathematics education in grades K-8. This initiative is supported in pa= rt by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Local Systemic Change program. The primary goal of the partnership is to raise levels of student participation and performance in science and mathematics. The strategy is t= o build the school districts' capacity to provide rigorous instruction that meets national standards by enhancing teachers' knowledge and skills, introducing= new curricula, building systems of support, and aligning policy around a new vi= sion of science education. The partnership provides professional development opportunities for district administrators and implements strategies to build public awareness and support.

Teacher Enhancement Programs:= The Leader Teacher Institute is a professional development program that involves teams of teachers and administrators in intensive summer workshops and school-year activities. As a result of the program, participants increase their content knowledge and their ability to design and implement inquiry-centered instruction. They integrate instructi= onal technology into their lessons and develop the "habits of mind" of science and mathematics learners. The program promotes gender equitable, multiculturally diverse classrooms and teacher leadership for systemic chan= ge within the schools and communities. Additional workshops are offered to all= K-8 teachers in the partnership. These one-week Peer Teacher Workshops for grou= ps of 30 teachers enhance teachers' ability to use science modules, mathematics materials, supporting technology, and pedagogy appropriate for their grade levels.

Partnerships with Volunteers: Both active and retired Merck employee volunteer= s play an important role in our programs. They lead science activities in the classroom and serve as mentors to teachers and role models to students. The volunteers receive training and support from Institute staff and have acces= s to the Institute's science materials Resource Centers.

For more information: Contact the Merck Institute for Science Educatio= n, P.O. Box 2000, Rahway, NJ 07065.Telephone (732) 594-3443. Fax (732) 594-397= 7.

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