Mi-STAR in the news

Through Mi-STAR, teachers make powerful contributions to education both in the classroom and out! An article, “Curriculum Development as Professional Development:  Creating Teacher Leaders Through the Mi-STAR Initiative,”  in the Winter 2016 newsletter of the Michigan Science Teachers Association (MSTA) highlights benefits of engaging science teachers in the process of curriculum development. Forty-nine teachers worked in Mi-STAR curriculum development groups alongside Scientists and Curriculum Development Specialists through a 2-week intensive process in the summer of 2015. Subsequently, many expressed appreciation for being valued as professionals with expertise:

“I think for some of us, this really possibly also helps that credibility of being a teacher. And what we do is really important too… it helps to give credibility to what we already know as teachers what we can do.” – Teacher working on Mi-STAR Curriculum Development

During their exit interviews, most teachers expressed enthusiasm to lead the way for improved science curriculum and teaching:

“By participating, I have the influence to develop a curriculum that will help prepare my middle school students for high school and life.” – Teacher working on Mi-STAR Curriculum Development

Read more on pages 27-28 of the MSTA Winter 2016 Newsletter here.

 

Mi-STAR is also featured in several new articles in The Daily Mining Gazette:

Science Stars: L’Anse Piloting Hands-on Lessons, The Daily Mining Gazette, January 29, 2016.

STEM Lessons from Theory, Practice, The Daily Mining Gazette, January 29, 2016.

Hands On: Students Do Science, Not Just Learn Facts, The Daily Mining Gazette, January 29, 2016.