By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Three years ago, the Van Andel Education Institute (VAEI), part of the Van Andel Institute, launched its Science Academy to spur interest in science and science-related careers amid fourth and fifth grade students in Greater Grand Rapids and Holland schools.
In June, the VAEI launched a companion program to expand the opportunity to middle school students.
With the recent addition of a full-time middle school science specialist, the programs have created three high-level education positions.
“As we continue to grow the program, we will likely look at an additional science specialist who has background in high school science,” says Marcia Bishop, VAEI associate director, “and for someone with background in evaluation, assessment and educational research.”
In addition to teaching students inquiry-based science and introducing them to the possibilities of careers in bioresearch and life sciences, the programs document how students learn science.
“We take how students learn about science and put that into practice in the classroom,” Bishops says. “The focus is on getting students to think and act like scientists.”
The program goes beyond the students. If a teacher feels a need for greater expertise in a specific area, the VAEI works with them to design a curriculum, the teacher observes as it's taught and then the teacher teaches it.
“From the very beginning we ask the students and parents to make a three-year commitment,” Bishop adds. “Each cohort of students reflects the ethnic and economic diversity of the city of Grand Rapids. Interested students are self-identified rather than having them selected by a school system.”
Each cohort remains together throughout the three years. The program is free to students. To-date, including a Saturday program where a child and an adult explore science together, some 200 students have participated.
Source: Marcia Bishop, Van Andel Education Institute
Related Articles
$178M VAI expansion on track for 2009 opening
Deborah Johnson Wood is the development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.