Hands-on science for grades K-5: an industry, school, university collaboration

The Penn-Merck Collaborative for the Enhancement of Science Education is a five year teacher enhancement program that uses a multifaceted approach to make science a fundamental, exciting and successful part of the education of urban, minority elementary school children. The Penn-Merck Collaborative brings together Merck and Co., the world´s largest pharmaceutical company, 25 elementary schools in Philadelphia, the nation´s fifth largest city, and their neighbor, the University of Pennsylvania, a major research university. Multiple, additional partnerships within this broad collaborative work together in a program of mutual benefit and support. The program addresses four aspects of science education: hands on science in the classroom; integrated science and language arts curricula; teacher leadership in science education; and pursuit of science careers by children from under represented groups. To focus these efforts, teams of teachers participate in a thirteen month cycle of activities, comprised of a year long graduate seminar framed by two summer institutes. Their work is guided by University faculty and master classroom teachers, supported through activities designed by undergraduate engineering students, and enhanced through interaction with Merck scientists and engineers. This approach not only broadens teachers´ knowledge of science concepts and instructional strategies, but also forms the basis for their role as change agents and mentors for other teachers at their schools