Building Locally, Linking Globally:
Networking Micro-Communities of New Science and Math Teachers Using the NSDL to Advance Instructional Excellence in High Need Schools

Summary:  With funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the California State University (CSU) will create and support networks of CSU Robert Noyce Scholars, connecting them to a variety of digital media-based learning objects, lesson plans and other support services.  These small teacher networks, termed  “micro-communities”, will be enabled through MERLOT’s Institutional Teaching Commons (ITC) program, which the CSU has already established in science education and other disciplinary areas.  The “Build Locally, Link Globally” capabilities of the MERLOT ITC’s will enable Noyce Scholars and their faculty mentors to: (1) Build a select collection of online science and mathematics learning content and curriculum that is successful in high needs schools, particularly in middle and high schools; (2) Share experiences with instructional applications of NSDL resources and such tools as effective and engaging  “Virtual Courseware” science simulations, designed to solve instructional problems in schools which often have no science or math equipment, supplies, labs or textbooks; (3) Link the CSU Noyce Scholars Teaching Commons to their local school district user communities, enabling Noyce Scholars to share NSDL teaching resources and pedagogy with teacher colleagues; and (4) Provide Scholars with powerful ePortfolio tools to assist them in communicating how they are able to use NSDL resources to meet the challenges of teaching in high need settings and working effectively with under-achieving students, including English Learners. (NSF DUE 0735011)

What is the Robert Noyce Scholars Program?
The Robert Noyce Scholars Program is an NSF program, directly authorized and supported by Congress, to increase the numbers of highly qualified mathematics and science teachers to teach in high needs school districts.  Noyce Scholars receive a stipend or scholarship (the average amount is $10,000 per year) while pursuing their undergraduate mathematics or science degree and/or teaching credential programs.  In return for this support, Noyce Scholars agree to teach at high needs schools after receiving their teaching credential.  Nationally, many colleges and universities are funded to recruit and support Noyce Scholars.  Within the CSU, 14 campuses (of the total of 23) are funded by the NSF with Noyce Scholar programs, making the CSU one of the largest institutional subgroups within the nationwide Noyce program. Robert Noyce is often identified as one of the founders of Silicon Valley (he co-founded Intel). Through his research in integrated circuits, he pioneered the use of computer chips, thus initiating a major economic sector

What is the National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Digital Library?
The National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Digital Library, most commonly termed NSDL, is the NSF funded initiative to create a worldwide network of disciplinary-based digital libraries with associated cataloguing, search, and collections development capabilities.

What is MERLOT?
MERLOT, or the Multimedia Education Resource for Learning and Teaching is a unique CSU-led repository of digital resources for teaching and learning, a significant component of the NSDL, and a worldwide community of digital education providers and learners. 

What’s the “big picture”?  Why is the CSU involved in this project?
The main aim of the project is to connect two large national programs --- the National Science Foundation (NSF) Robert Noyce Scholars and National Science Digital Library (NSDL) – with the largest, most diverse higher educational system in the country – the California State University (CSU).  This connection is vitally important for a number of reasons.  The NSF Robert Noyce Scholars program has as its mission to increase the numbers of highly qualified mathematics and science teachers (particularly at the high school and middle school levels) working in high needs schools. The CSU is the largest educator of teachers in the state (over 60% of California’s teachers are educated by the CSU), and provides about 10% of the teachers in the nation.  With support from the California state budget, the CSU Math and Science Teaching Initiative (MSTI) has committed to doubling the numbers of mathematics and science teachers in the state – from 750 to 1500 – by the year 2010-11.  As more than half of CSU campuses currently operate Robert Noyce Scholars’ programs, the CSU is uniquely positioned to support science and mathematics education, and to implement community-based learning approaches that transcend institutional boundaries.  The CSU can provide continuity of the Noyce Scholars’ experience, both within California, and, potentially, throughout the nation.  The CSU, through the MERLOT program, is also already integrated into the NSDL, and is known for its leadership in academic technology and digitally-assisted course design.

Why should I get involved in this program?  What are the benefits?  Whether you are a CSU faculty member in the mathematics or sciences, a current or former Robert Noyce Scholar, and/or a current or future mathematics or science teacher, there are great benefits to you through involvement in this program.

• You will receive a stipend for attending valuable workshops that show you how to incorporate digital resources from the NSDL, MERLOT, and other digital learning repositories, into your teaching
• If you are a middle or high school science or mathematics teacher, you will be provided with substantial assistance in building an e-portfolio – putting you one step ahead in satisfying the new California Teacher Performance Expectation (TPE) documentation requirement
• If you are a middle or high school science or mathematics teacher, participation in this project will help prepare you for National Board Certification
• You will have direct access to, and a sense of belonging to a vibrant community of teachers in mathematics and science, engaged in instruction in high needs school districts
• You will have unprecedented access to current science and mathematics teaching resources
• You will have the opportunity to build lesson plans for learners using inquiry based instruction that can be undertaken in schools without extensive laboratory facilities
• Your learning objects and lesson plans will be published and widely disseminated in a national forum
• You will make a difference in the science and mathematics achievements and aspirations of your students

What’s expected if I do get involved? 

• You will be expected to attend workshops and be part of the community of science and math teachers engaged in this program
• You will be expected to contribute to building the digital learning resources for use in high needs schools
• You will be expected to use what you learn in your classroom
• You will be expected to participate in the NSF program evaluation, as well as initiate your own active research projects, to understand how the digital resources of NSDL, MERLOT, and the Noyce ITL contribute to your students learning

What’s the project schedule?

• The NSF-funded program starts in October of 2007, and ends in Fall 2009
• Workshops will be held several times a year in California

What’s the plan for continuing the program after grant funding runs out?

• Our plan is that the program will be self-sustaining through MERLOT, the Science Education Commons, and through the networks of teachers – both Robert Noyce Scholars, and other teachers of mathematics and science
• CSU will be providing continuity through the MSTI program

This all sounds interesting and worthwhile.  How do I get involved?

Please contact:

Elizabeth Ambos
CSU Chancellor’s Office
eambos@calstate.edu

David Andrews
CSU Fresno
davidan@csufresno.edu