Partnership Projects

To expand the usefulness of our work and that of others, we collaborate with a number of organizations in addition to our on-going work with schools and school districts. Here are three Partnerships, each with a special focus:

Integrated Inquiry Project, Windham Central Supervisory Union, Vermont. Originally a collaborative between a school district, a division of the state department of education and Synergy Learning, this project seeks to develop action research and school site leadership in a rural district. The team of teachers involved is focusing on links that can be developed between math and science curricula to enhance student understanding and engagement. The project is now seeking additional funding. It has grown well beyond its original scope because of enthusiasm and successes on the part of teachers, and it has attracted interest from several other rural districts.

Vermont Center for the Book and its Mother Goose Programs. Through two major National Science Foundation grants, we have worked with this early childhood and family literacy center to develop math and science activities that accompany great children's literature. Family programs include Mother Goose Asks "Why?" and You Can Count on Mother Goose. These programs now operate in over 20 states. Mother Goose Cares About Math and Science is a project to support early childhood educators. The trial version of "Cares" is now operating in two states and will soon expand to several more. Our involvement includes design and writing of science and math investigations as well as serving as instructors for related courses. For details, go to: www.mothergooseprograms.org

Kieve Science Camp for Girls, Nobleboro, Maine. Synergy Learning has developed several programs to encourage girls in science. Our Co-Director, Meredith Wade, provides a program of professional development as part of Kieve Science Camp for Girls each summer. Educators explore engaging hands-on learning in science while also developing ways to support girls' interests in science, both in school and beyond.

The Exploratorium, San Francisco. This famous science and technology museum has, for several years, sponsored a national project related to inquiry learning in science. We devoted an issue of Connect to stories written by teachers in this project. Working with us, The Exploratorium put the entire issue on its website for use by its program participants and others visiting the site. You can find these stories on inquiry learning in the classroom at: www.exploratorium.edu/ifi/resources/classroom/connect