k12 Education

National is proud to be working with organizations who are leading the way in new methods of teaching science through the integration of literacy strategies (such as reading, writing, listening) within the science curriculum. Pilot studies have shown that teaching science using language literacy results in higher test scores and increased student comprehension.

Our Power of Education Program provides grants to educational organizations in the three major U.S. communities where National Semiconductor has a presence: Santa Clara, California; South Portland, Maine; and Arlington, Texas.

CALIFORNIA

California's State Superintendent of Education, Jack O'Connell, is flocked by Peterson Middle School students at an event to launch a science and literacy grant for Santa Clara Unified School District. In the back row on the left is Mary Kay Going of Santa Clara Unified School District and on the right, Joan Scott, Director of Community Relations for National.

In Silicon Valley, California, National Semiconductor is partnering with key education organizations to improve science instruction. At the Santa Clara County Office of Education, National is providing a $150,000 grant to help 4th and 5th grade teachers teach physical science using hands-on, student-centered activities. National is also partnering with the Resource Area for Teaching by giving a $120,000 grant to offer curriculum and materials for local middle school teachers to strengthen their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs. Piloting an exciting new teaching technique, National is providing a $300,000 grant to the Santa Clara Unified School District to teach science using literacy strategies, such as keeping scientific notebooks to journal and diagram science concepts. The grant will provide funds for professional development and materials to help teachers learn to approach science through the lens of literacy, with the goal of improving student learning. The district hopes this new strategy will help close the achievement gap that exists between all students and the English Language Learner (ELL) students.

MAINE

Teachers in Maine develop a roller coaster, a lesson which they will replicate with their students to help them embrace physics concepts.

In Maine, National continues to build upon a relationship with the Maine Math & Science Alliance by providing a $240,000 grant to integrate literacy into the science curriculum. Through professional development and coaching for teachers, the MMSA staff shows teachers how they can give their students richer depth in their science studies by using reading and writing. Three years ago, National funded the original research project and to the delight of both National and MMSA, the results showed huge student gains in math, science, and reading on the state's standardized exams. Because the results were so strong, the Maine Department of Education is helping to fund and study the project, as well, in hopes of using it as a statewide model for science instruction.

TEXAS

Grants to AISD and MISD were announced at the school districts' board meetings earlier this month by John Conn, Vice President of the National's facility in Arlington.

Our two Texan partner school districts, Arlington Independent School District and Mansfield Independent School District, have received $108,000 and $72,000 grants respectively. These grants focus on turning traditional textbook lessons into student-centered, inquiry-based lessons. In addition, they aim to provide teachers with new methods for teaching science, such as broadening academic vocabulary and reading in the content area. Some funds will also be used for technology materials, such as sensors and probes to collect and graph data, as well as general science activity supplies.