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PRISM II is an outstanding professional development opportunity for Missouri middle level science teachers in grades 4-8. This program takes place over a three-year period. Elementary self-contained or single subject science teachers as well as middle school science teachers are welcome to apply. Teachers accepted into the program are committed to full participation in all of the activities of the program including a four-week summer institute held each year on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University, four video conferences held throughout the school year, and collaborative work with the PRISM staff and a partner teacher chosen by the participant from their home school.
During each summer institute teachers will earn 6 hours of graduate credit at no cost to them that is applicable towards a Master's Degree in Teaching Science. These courses are special offerings designed to meet the needs of middle level teachers: they include content courses in life, earth and space, and physical science. Teachers will also complete course work designed to assist them in creating and delivering exemplary lessons in their classrooms. A stipend of $1500 is awarded for successful completion of each summer institute. Room and board is provided.
Video conferences are held on Saturday mornings four times per school year, approximately one per quarter. Teachers are allowed to select the site closest to their home. A stipend of $75/session is awarded for successful completion of the conference and associated activities. Teachers also earn one or two credit hours at no cost and applicable to their Masters degree.
Each teacher selected for the program will work with a mentor/coach hired by the project. These individuals will be master teachers with experience in inquiry-based teaching. These mentor/coaches will make periodic visits to the classroom and work directly with the teachers to support their efforts to implement teaching and assessment strategies.
Each teacher in the program will also select a partner from their home district to collaborate with throughout the school year. This partner teacher will also be invited to attend video conferences if they wish. Both the participating teacher and the partner teacher will be awarded a $250 stipend upon completion of the partnering activities.
The PRISM grant will support teachers in the program who attend the fall Science Teachers Of Missouri conference including hotel, mileage, meals, registration and compensation for attending on a non-contract day.
Interested in being applying for PRISM possibilities? Apply today!