Fellow Training

Gk12 fellows must make a full year commitment beginning June 1st and must be available on campus during the summer for training sessions. Click here for the PowerPoint presentation about the STAMP Training program (in pdf format).

GK12 Summer Preparation Program

The GK12 Summer Preparation program consisted of five components: classroom observations, methods classes, Boston Public School curriculum workshops, practicum teaching in middle school and high school summer programs, and a teacher-fellow-faculty workshop.

Classroom Observations

The purpose of the classroom observations was to familiarize fellows with the culture of schools, the dynamics of science classrooms, and the range of student motivation and expectations. Fellows observed classes in Chelsea, Quincy, Boston and BU Academy Schools as well as at CityLab. Each fellow spent 8 - 10 hours in a variety of schools.

Methods Classes

Fellows attended twelve methods classes. The purposes of the methods classes were as follows:

  • Acquire insights and practice with respect to teaching methods associated with effective science pedagogy
  • Form and articulate an emerging model of science teaching and learning based on classroom observations

Classes addressed Science pedagogy, Interactive lesson design and development, Classroom management techniques, and Curriculum frameworks. The fellows had the opportunity to practice teaching to their peers.

Boston Public Schools Curriculum Workshops

Marilyn Decker, Senior Program Director of Science for the Boston Public Schools, invites the fellows to participate in workshops offered through the Boston Public Schools. Fellows were placed in workshops according to their disciplines: chemistry, physics, and biology. Similar workshops for middle school teachers were held in August. The objectives of the workshops were as follows:

  • Gain exposure and insights with respect to the content, methods, and general expectations of high school science education in Boston;
  • Network with classroom teachers and potential cooperating teachers through interactions with presenters and teachers;
  • Become familiar with the BPS curriculum expectations in chemistry, physics, engineering and biology;
  • Become familiar with the interpretation and implementation of the Massachusetts Science and Technology Curriculum Frameworks as they are perceived by BPS

Following the workshops, the fellows prepared a presentation of their experience for the Fellows and faculty, highlighting a representative activity from the curricula. Categories for presentations included content, methods, and implementation challenges of the curricula. This served as another opportunity for the fellows to hone their teaching skills.

Practicum Teaching

Fellows had the opportunity to do a practicum during the summer sessions of the following programs:

  • Boston Area Health Careers Center
  • Upward Bound
  • Design Camp

The fellows assisted science teachers in these summer programs for two weeks, spending 8 – 10 hours per week in the classroom. The goals of the practicum were for fellows to gain experience as teaching and deepen their understanding and vision of their roles in the classroom.

Teacher-Fellow-Faculty Workshop

The two-week teacher-fellow-faculty workshop was intended to develop teacher-fellow collaboration and planning and introduce teachers to the BU resources available for STEM education. The two-week workshop emphasized practical applications of the STEM disciplines during morning sessions and time for the teachers and fellows to collaborate during the afternoons.