The Teacher Pioneers program has officially concluded, however the work has been sustained and evolved into our work with Place Based Learning.

From 2003 to 2005 middle school teachers gathered at the Asheville, Fayetteville and Jacksonville satellite offices for two weeks of intensive training on the latest technologies in science and mathematics. Participants will learn to use the TI-83+ graphing calculator, iMac laptops, LabPro interface and numerous probes. During the school year this equipment will circulate among the teachers' classrooms as they integrate the technology into their curriculum.

Teacher Pioneers will also be encouraged to participate in other opportunities such as presenting at the NCSTA conference, reviewing the middle school SCOS and more.

Excerpts from the grant:

"These are challenging times for K-12 science and mathematics, especially in rural schools. The 2002 No Child Left Behind Act not only will institute science testing in middle school for the first time since 1995, it requires satisfactory levels of achievement from all subgroupings of students. These requirements call for sustained teacher enhancement that emphasizes strategies, such as inquiry-based hands-on learning, that have demonstrated success with all students. If we are to build science literacy and to encourage the next generation of scientists and engineers, we must begin by meeting the demands of No Child Left Behind. The Progress Energy Teacher Pioneers will be among those leading the way."

"The teacher-participants will be the Pioneers who will learn to teach with computer and calculator-based laboratory equipment in their classrooms and who will use the library of equipment circulated by the Master Teacher. Our experience in similar programs indicates that the Pioneers will train their peers in using more laboratory teaching and will influence their schools and school systems to acquire more laboratory equipment to bolster student interest and achievement in science. It is well known that such opportunities for teacher learning and leadership increase the retention of qualified teachers in the classroom."

Initial funding for this technology integration program for middle school teachers in Buncombe, Onslow and Cumberland counties came from Progress Energy with continued funding from the Golden Leaf Foundation.

2004 Final Report to Progress Energy (pdf)

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