NSU Chemistry and Physics Academy

Northeastern State University (NSU) has been awarded a statewide grant from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to increase the number of certified Chemistry and Physics teachers in the state of Oklahoma. The NSU Chemistry and Physics Academy (NSU-CAPA) will provide research-based professional development for certified science teachers who want to become certified to teach Chemistry and Physics. The two-year program will focus on teacher knowledge, teacher practice, and student achievement in Chemistry and Physics.

The program will recruit 20 science teachers statewide and will include a one-week summer program on the Tahlequah campus of NSU. Housing will be provided as needed. The program will use the Blackboard system to help develop a statewide Community of Practice. Participants will conduct outreach activities at the Oklahoma Science Teacher Association annual meeting at the University of Central Oklahoma and at the Northeastern Oklahoma Mathematics and Science Teacher Association annual meeting at NSU. These meetings will provide opportunities for other science teachers to interact with program participants and will provide participants networking opportunities with experienced Chemistry and Physics teachers. Schools will be involved in determining the implementation of the program, including the date of the summer program, the specific content of the summer program and follow-up activities, and the implementation of program objectives.

The benefits to teacher participants include a Venier LabQuest 2 and the following probes: temperature probe, motion detector, pH probe (Additional probes and Lab Pro Software will be supplied the second year.), a modest stipend, room and board for eight participants, lunches, thirty-five hours of professional development during the summer, online follow-up activities and support during the academic year, and funds to take the OSAT in Chemistry and in Physics at the conclusion of the program. Please see additional details and benefits on the following pages.

To become a partner in this program, the appropriate school administrator needs to sign the Memorandum of Agreement that can be found in the enclosed pages. Please sign on the line that identifies your school. Additional details concerning the responsibilities of all partners and teacher participants are included as well. After signing the page, please FAX it to 918-458-9693. Signed Memorandum of Agreement sheets are due by Wednesday, November 28^th. If you have questions, please call the Program Director, Dr. April Adams at 918-444-3819 or e-mail her at adams001@nsuok.edu. More information, including a letter to the principal is attached.

Thanks, April