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Thirteen Greenville County Schools teachers will participate in week-long sessions at the 2010 Science PLUS Institute, held at Roper Mountain Science Center June 14-25. More than 110 teachers from across South Carolina will attend.Participating GCS teachers are Regina Eudy, Beck Academy; Arlene Enos, Berea Elementary; Melissa Santiago, Bethel Elementary; Chris Woods, Blue Ridge Middle; Lizayola Gonzalez, Blythe Academy; Donna Bixby, Blythe Academy; Beth DeGeorge, Fork Shoals School; Heather Bolt, Fountain Inn Elementary; Serena Cox, Greer Middle; Donna Coffman, Greer Middle; Kristin Davidson, Lake Forest Elementary; Mendy Smith, Mountain View Elementary; John Burdick, Sterling School/Charles Townes Center. The institute, funded by a state Education Improvement Act (EIA) grant, gives intensive training in science teaching methods and activities to public school science teachers from throughout South Carolina. It emphasizes the belief that all students deserve a good science education. Each school district that submitted applicants is represented by at least one teacher chosen to attend the summer training. In the institute’s 17-year history, a total of 3,713 public school teachers have participated in Science PLUS classes. Courses for the 2010 session include seven different one-week classes in life, earth and physical science. Classes are built around specific grade levels corresponding to the state’s science academic standards for grades 3-8. Teachers are encouraged to incorporate math and language arts skills into their science lessons and to look for opportunities to make science connections when teaching other subjects. Science PLUS also provides resources for hands-on activities with students. Teachers receive science materials and supplies to duplicate the lessons they’ve learned. “New skills, enhanced content knowledge and tested ideas shared by other teachers enable our Science PLUS participants to return to their classrooms with confidence and renewed enthusiasm,” said institute coordinator Lucinda Jacobs. South Carolina’s EIA funds are generated by the fifth penny of sales tax on each dollar. The Science PLUS Institute is only one of many programs throughout the state supported by these sales tax monies. (Images provided by Greenville County Schools.)
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