August 4-6, 2005

In August, the four science cohorts and the first mathematics cohort of KSTF Fellows met at the Samoset Resort in Camden, Maine.

On Thursday morning, the 2002, 2003 and 2004 Science Fellows met with Alicia Allbaugh from Rochester Institute of Technology to learn more about video analysis of science laboratory experiences. In the afternoon, they continued work on their three-day lesson study sequence. During the previous academic year, all of the 2002 and 2003 fellows and some of the 2004 fellows taught the lesson study sequence that they had planned at the 2004 Summer Fellows Meeting. They used their time at this meeting to review, in their study group, videotape of themselves teaching the lessons and copies of student work. By doing this they were able to engage in in-depth discussions of and reflection on their teaching. Opportunities to study their teaching with other fellows is central to the iterative process of lesson study and leads to a reworked instructional sequence that the fellows commit to teach again in the coming academic year.

The 2005 Science and Mathematics Teaching Fellows began the process of lesson study at this meeting by investigating what it means to understand a scientific or mathematical concept and by studying the planning of instructional sequences. As part of this process, the 2005 Science Teaching Fellows examined their own understanding of science and teaching as they began to engage in lesson study. Through this process they selected a topic that is taught in both high school physics and chemistry classes and investigated the rationale for teaching this topic and goals for students learning within the scope and sequence of their topic's curricula. The 2005 Mathematics Teaching Fellows cohort worked with Ginger Rhodes throughout the meeting as they began to investigate issues related to mathematics teaching. They analyzed videotapes of others teaching mathematics topics and, working in small groups, discussed what needed to be considered when planning a mathematics lesson.

In addition to lesson study, each cohort of Science Teaching Fellows met with Dr. Eileen Lewis from the University of California, Berkeley, for one day to study different aspects of science teaching appropriate for their level of experience. Topics that were addressed in Dr. Lewis's workshops included metacognition, nature of science, questioning, inquiry and misconceptions.

On Thursday evening, all of the fellows met for a poster session and reception held before dinner, during which some of the fellows shared their professional development experiences. The purpose of this session was to make all fellows aware of the interesting opportunities available to them as they continue their fellowships.

On Friday evening, a group of researchers from the University of Maine's Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research shared studies that they are conducting in different areas of science and education. Dr. Susan McKay, the Center's director, spoke to the fellows about the work that they are doing at the Center. This presentation and poster session was followed by a lobster bake on the Samoset Grounds overlooking the Penobscot Bay.

At the close of the meeting, on Saturday evening, the fellows shared their work and experiences with fellows from other cohorts.