Biologist Lois Peck is so passionate about improving science teaching that she heads up the Summer Institute for Middle Grade Science Teachers. The popular and intensive program brings Philadelphia School District teachers to campus for a four-week curriculum developed and delivered exclusively by University of the Sciences faculty.
"We want teachers to improve their content knowledge and increase the use of hands-on science in their classrooms," she says. "The emphasis is on doing experiments and building critical thinking skills."
The program also builds a network among middle school science teachers so that they have peers with whom to communicate about their unique issues.
"The University has supported us," says Dr. Peck, "and we've gotten some great comments from the teachers who have gone through the program."