Math and Science Family Learning Institute

"This time it became necessary for us as facilitators to be clear with the directives we were trying to portray with the project. Explanations for how this was science, the importance of keeping the content culturally relevant and highlighting how students need to be actively engaged." - Future elementary teacher

On November 15th, Dr. Elaine Young's future math teachers and my future science teachers taught INSERVICE -- yes, those that are currently in the classroom - teachers how to conduct a family learning event. We had over 100 teachers from around the Coastal Bend attend. Several of our preservice teachers have graduated and attend as brand new classroom teachers -- wonderful to see the work continue! The future teachers teaching the teachers!!

Quotations from student's written reflections:

*I really gained a lot of confidence in my communication skills and effective discussion with teachers....The whole event was very informative and challenging and I found a lot about how well I can teach to not just students but professionals as well. I definitely gained much more than I hoped for.

*One male educator states that hands-on experiments especially for young elementary students were crucial for their learning. He stated, "I have found that by presenting the topic with a hands-on experiment the students better retain the information and actually enjoy what is being taught to them".

*Everyone seemed so passionate and excited about teaching, and the atmosphere just made me feel that much more excited and passionate about teaching.

*Each time we presented in a different facility I learned something from it. I learned more about young children and how they learn. I learned more about charter schools and gained an idea of how adolescents and teenagers view science and education in general. I loved how to talk to older students vs. communicating with younger students. Also, I received great experience from communicating and presenting to other adults. Now, I feel more confident about communicating with other teachers, administrators, and parents. All thanks to Family Science...!

*The whole event was very informative and challenging and I found a lot about how well I can teach to not just students but professionals as well.

*I loved knowing that I contributed to the learning of students that I am not even a teacher for.

*It was a great feeling to know that the activity we did will possibly be used in the classroom.

*I have not only learned a lot about other teachers and students, but I have learned a lot about myself.

*I was able to catch the beginning of Dr. McCollough's and Dr. Young's presentation before the teachers came around to observe our projects. I found it interesting how Family Science Night has grown so much and impacted so many people. I greatly enjoyed this experience and will never forget the impact that I had on all the students and their families. Mainly because they will never consume red food and drinks or use make-up without thinking about the parasite which it is extracted from, due to my project about the Cochineal bug.

*I like how you combined math and science together. It's important for teachers to understand that the two subjects can go hand in hand with each other and could help with teaching a lesson to your students.

*The one main thing I learned from participating in this event would be that teachers who truly care about their students get very excited about learning new methods to teach those they are entrusted to....In today's society there is so much negative about schools and teachers, that often we don't see/hear the positives about those who truly enjoy teaching and want to make a difference in a child's life.

Family Science At Garza-Gonzales Charter School Fall 2008

"This is what I have been waiting to do my whole life and the fact that I finally get to do it, well, is more than words can possibly say." - Future Elementary Teacher

On November 5th, my future elementary and middle school teachers taught science activities to an audience comprised predominately of high school students and their families! Dr. Mac's granddaughter even attended! A good time was had by all!!

Direct quotations from my student's written reflections:

*I felt like this experience really helped my confidence and that it has given me experience with all age groups of children.

*The experience gave me an excellent picture of teaching science and it gave me joy.

*I learned that each child comes to earth with a built in curiosity system.

*I raised in a world coming from a single parent home and so called "barrio" environment. This process has opened my eyes that even the small things in life can make a difference in a students life.

*The major benefit I personally gained from this event is a feeling that I could teach science to older students a do a good job of it....If I were to give future teachers one piece of advice it would be to not be afraid of expanding themselves outside of their chosen teaching level.

*Science is still a difficult subject for e to get comfortable with, but the experience I had at Garza Gonzales Charter school made me feel that science can be a subject the students and myself can discover together....I was able to see how an activity can be adjusted in a matter of a moment's time.

*Without friendship, learning won't take place.

*I believe that any at risk youth have a chance at a better life if their teachers invest in them as a whole child.

*I definitely enjoyed this second experience because of the different environment. Yes, there were a lot of underaged parents and families who were a little less fortunate but I felt as though we were making a difference in their lives. It was as though being there and watching us was helping them see that they too could go to college.

*The main thing I learned from this Family Science Night was the main differences in the socioeconomic classes.....Many of these kids were having kids themselves and are in the lower income scale. This means that teachers need to work harder with these students because school is really all they have and their future really depends on us.