“I teach in a very high needs school in Phoenix. Due to an extreme shortage, they asked me to teach physics. ASU Modeling Workshops have been an incredible resource for me; my administrators are constantly impressed by my teaching methods and I owe it all to modeling.”
-- Arizona teacher
Accomplished link
Since 2000, the ASU Modeling Instruction Program has served more than 1000 teachers and benefited a million students. Nearly 10% of physics teachers nationwide use Modeling Instruction. It received the 2014 Excellence in Physics Education Award by the American Physical Society. Student achievement on tests of concept understanding is typically double that of traditional instruction. Models and theories are the purpose and the outcomes of scientific practices. They are the tools for engineering design and problem solving. Thus, modeling guides all other practices.
Support for the ASU Modeling Instruction Program will help alleviate a chronic shortage of qualified physics and physical science teachers in Arizona, providing needed research-validated professional development each summer for more than 50 Arizona teachers of physical sciences. A $1900 donation provides program support or a tuition scholarship for a three-week summer Modeling Workshop. Investments in the program prepare out-of-field “cross-over” teachers, ensuring that schools continue offering physics. Currently, only 20% of Arizona students take physics, compared with almost 40% nationwide. Physics is the foundation of all sciences, engineering, and technology -- and the chief STEM career pathway. The economic health of Arizona and of physics-related companies depends on a strong K-12 education that includes a robust physics course.
Funders and PartnersThe ASU Modeling Instruction and MNS programs are funded by The Boeing Company, Salt River Project, Arizona Technology Council, and individuals. Former funders include the National Science Foundation, ESEA Title II-A “Improving Teacher Quality” Program, Knowles Foundation, Cheng Foundation. The scale-up national partner is the American Modeling Teachers Association (AMTA), formed in 2005 to ensure sustainability of Modeling Instruction and expand it to more sciences and to middle school. Other partners include science education researchers, Arizona Science Education Leadership Association (AzSELA), American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). A list is at http://modeling.asu.edu/Partners.htm
Jane Jackson, Co-Director, Modeling Instruction Program
Jane.jackson@asu.edu
480-965-8438
The programs in this database clear a high bar. STEMworks reviewed each program against the Design Principles for Effective STEM Philanthropy.
Identify and target a compelling and well-defined need.
Use rigorous evaluation to continuously measure and inform progress towards the compelling need identified.
Ensure work is sustainable.
Demonstrate replicability and scalability.
Create high impact partnerships
Ensure organizational capacity to achieve goals.
Offer challenging and relevant STEM content for the target audience
Incorporate and encourage STEM practices.
Inspire interest and engagement in STEM.
Identify and address the needs of under-represented groups.