Amy Van Pelt - 2007 Teacher Institute

"I learned so much at the Teacher Institute. The instructors were top-notch. I realized quickly that these teachers were the virtuosos who wrote the books, devised the labs, and designed the models and posters used in science classrooms by myself and my colleagues. Amazing

"Learning to use tools in the teacher's workshop was empowering. I made four projects with the help of the shop teachers that I know will be beneficial in the classroom and can't wait to use. I also came away with a slew of other building projects that I plan to make with my students and colleagues. Models are a crucial part of truly understanding science but can also be expensive. The workshop provides teachers with the skills and plans to create those models with a few power tools and simple materials.

"With the revision of the Arkansas Science Frameworks in 2006, middle schools are required to include labs as 20 percent of the curriculum. The labs I learned at the Teacher Institute will be instrumental in helping my district fulfill that requirement, and then some. The TI teachers showed us how to teach challenging concepts such as sound, light, universe scale, and motion with everyday materials. That kind of hands-on training for middle school teachers teaching foundations is immeasurable.

"I applaud Arkansas and the Discovery Network for their awareness of the importance of good science in our schools and quality teacher training. I expected the Teacher Institute to have teachers from all over the US so I was very impressed when I realized that Arkansas teachers represent the 2nd largest group in this international class of teachers. I believe Arkansas is on the forefront of science education by sending teachers on this four-week science expedition.

"I plan to take what I learned and share with science teachers in my community. I will continue learning with the Exploratorium. They have a listserve in place for all alums to share ideas and a huge website full of labs, links, and projects that is constantly being updated with new information."

Amy Van Pelt
Lakewood Middle School, North Little Rock
8th grade integrated science