SEED
Science Education through Experiments and Demonstrations

Program Overview

Project SEED, now in its 15th year, is a Northeastern University enhancement program for 6th-10th grade science teachers. It is an inquiry/activity-based science/mathematics program with a focus on the physical sciences and a strong connection to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks in Mathematics and Science & Technology/Engineering and to the National Science Education Standards.

The program uses a wide variety of activities, from simple demonstrations to quantitative experiments in order to enhance teachers' understanding of the basic concepts and principles of physical science, and to provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to engage their students in activity-based learning. Variety is essential to meet the various cognitive needs of the teachers and their students and to match the variety of resources and facilities available in different schools. This year, the program is funded by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and is offered in collaboration with the BPS.**

This summer (2004) project SEED will NOT be offered.

Program Features

• Exploration of the concepts of length, time, mass, area, volume, density, force, pressure, buoyancy, work & energy (via simple machines), mechanical energy (kinetic potential), and the laws of motion.

• The program will be customized to the needs of the BPS teachers and will be contextualized to the BPS curriculum.

• The Project SEED Sourcebook with close to 200 inexpensive activities and experiments.

• A kit of science materials that can be used to conduct many of the activities in the Sourcebook.

• Discussion and analysis of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) questions in Mathematics and Science & Technology/Engineering.

• A detailed look at the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks in Science & Technology/Engineering.

• The opportunity to share teaching experiences and ideas with colleagues.

• Facilitation by Dr. Christos Zahopoulos, College of Engineering, Northeastern University.

• The opportunity to earn 75 Professional Development Points.

• The opportunity to earn 4 quarter-hours of graduate credit.***

• A stipend of $850, which can be applied towards graduate credit, for participating in the 8-day (60-hour) program plus two follow-up meetings.

Notes

* The term high-need local educational agency' means a local educational agency that - (A) is among the local educational agencies in a State with the highest numbers or percentages of children from families with incomes below the poverty line; and (B)(i) operates one or more schools identified under section 1116; or (ii) has a substantial need for assistance in acquiring and using technology.

** Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and the Improving Teacher Quality State Grant Program are the primary supporters of this Northeastern University summer institute. Additional Funding (11% or $4,500) is provided by the Boston Public Schools through a grant from the National Science Foundation.

*** $225 per quarter hour and a one-time $50 registration fee.

Typical Program Schedule

Length, Mass, Time

Area, Volume, Force

Density & Buoyancy

Pressure

Simple Machines (Work & Energy)/Motion

Motion (continued)

• Teacher presentations-Effective Activities
• In-depth discussion of the Massachusetts Science & Technology/Engineering Frameworks
• MCAS Analysis

For more information about having a customized SEED program in your school or district, please contact us at seed@neu.edu or 617-373-5154.