Lee University hosted the Computations in Scientific Inquiry workshop with 21 teachers representing six different counties: Bradley, Cleveland City, Hamilton, McMinn, Polk and Sevier.
The goal of the CSI program was to increase teacher knowledge and competency in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math instruction among high school mathematics and science teachers. The program is meant to promote integrative learning using a forensic science theme and provide teachers with the opportunity and resources to collaborate with one another across disciplines.
“The CSI workshop was top-tier professional development for me as a high school science teacher,” said Cameron Brewster, a teacher at McMinn Co. High School. “Not only was I equipped with a wealth of specific methods and strategies to integrate science and mathematics, but I benefited immensely from the general teaching methods woven throughout the workshop.”
The workshop consisted of several different experiments where participants integrated mathematics into science such as determining the “time of death” of a potato, identifying an unknown powder and the quantity of the powder, analyzing ink sources and handwriting samples, identifying the culprit in an accident by measuring enzyme activities and determining whether an anthrax outbreak was accidental or criminal.
“I am very honored to have the privilege to work with some amazing educators through the CSI program,” said Dr. Lori West, workshop director and associate professor of biology at Lee. “We hope that through our program our participants will be better equipped with exciting ways to approach STEM instruction in their classes.”
This project is part of the Improving Teacher Quality Grant program and is funded under an agreement with the state of Tennessee through the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
For more information about Lee’s Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics visit http://www.leeuniversity.edu/academics/arts-sciences/ or call 614-8275.