ENVISIONS teachers using dichotomous key to identify minerals.

Onslow County schools recently completed a very successful three-year Math/Science Partnership grant called E.N.V.I.S.I.O.N.S. The grant provided math and science teachers in grades 5-8 with science content coursework provided by NC State University faculty. Content knowledge was deepen and new pedagogical strategies obtained through interactions between the Jacksonville Satellite Office of The Science House at NC State University, local coaches, and teachers involved in the newly established professional learning communities across the county.

Onslow County had also been participating in several Math initiatives such as NC PIMS and the Partners project, as well as various local initiatives. So the time just seemed right to continue the good works that had already begun in both areas with a new proposal called “Bridges”. Bridges connects problem-based learning with all of the math/science initiatives that have been a part of Onslow County professional development over the past ten years. The overarching goal of Bridges is to identify and refine quality, sustainable mathematics initiatives while implementing problem-based learning in both science and mathematics.

The goals of Bridges are to build math content knowledge; to increase student achievement; to increase teacher use of formative assessments; to increase use of math manipulatives; to implement problem-based math and science units utilizing The JASON Project and other similar resources; and to establish a sustainable network of math teacher-leaders.

Posters and charts help teachers think algebraically.

Bridges will bring together a variety of partners, each with its own area of expertise. Onslow County Schools and Carteret County Schools will band together in this growth opportunity. A total of approximately 150 teachers will be participating. Teachers will be engaged in a variety of activities and learning experiences that will be designed to stretch content knowledge and enhance pedagogy skills. Bridges will connect teachers to LEAs, IHE partners, statewide math leadership, and one another with tangible resources that will enhance their learning and ultimately their students’ achievement.

Partnerships with institutes of higher education (IHE) are integral to Bridges. Two IHEs will partner to provide a continuum of services. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington will coordinate the content area coursework and deliver professional development. The Science House at NC State University will provide resources and staff to aid in math and science problem based learning professional development in conjunction with The JASON Project.

Dr. Morge assisting teachers in the Algebraic reasoning course.

The project began summer 2009 with a content workshop in Algebraic Reasoning presented by Dr. Ginger Rhodes and Dr. Shelby Morge of UNCW. A small cohort attended this session. The second cohort will receive the same content course in summer 2010 with the first cohort receiving professional development in geometry. Follow-up workshops will be delivered during the school year as needed. Future content courses will focus on Geometry/Measurement and Data Analysis/ Probability.

PLCs (professional learning communities) have already been established to further explore algebraic reasoning and are guided by coaches Nancy Allen in Carteret County and Pat Curley in Onslow County under the leadership of project director, Michael Elder. Teachers are utilizing both face-to-face interactions as well as online interactions, such as wikis, videos, etc. to deepen their content knowledge and pedagogical skills at http://bridgesmsp.wetpaint.com/

Paul Houston states in Out of the Box Leadership (2007), “Bridges take us from what we know to what we don’t know- from a place that is familiar and safe to someplace that may be less safe.” It is our hope that while a new destination may involve a mildly uncomfortable trip, we will provide teachers with the tools and resources necessary to reach their potentials. As teachers become learners and leaders, they will challenge themselves to meet the needs of their students.”

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