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Power of Education Initiative
Through its Power of Education Initiative, National is 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.
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| Through National’s grant to the Santa Clara County Office of Education, 61 teachers received 40 hours of professional development in physical science and inquiry-based instruction. |
In Silicon Valley, California, National partners 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 through a $120,000 grant to offer curriculum and materials for local middle school teachers to strengthen their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) 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.
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| Teachers in Maine develop a roller coaster, a lesson which they will replicate with their students to help them embrace physics concepts. |
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In Maine, National continues to build upon a relationship with the Maine Math & Science Alliance (MMSA) by providing a $240,000 grant to integrate literacy into 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. National funded the original research project and, to the delight of both National and MMSA, the results showed impressive student gains in math, science, and reading on the state's standardized exams. Because the results were so notable, 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.
"The Linking Science, Inquiry, and Language Literacy (L-SILL) project, funded by the National Semiconductor Foundation has generated an elementary science "comeback" in Maine. All across the state, K-5 students are engaged in purposeful inquiry-based science while learning essential science concepts that are helping them understand their world and preparing them for living productive and responsible lives."
Lynn C. Farrin
Science Specialist, Maine Mathematics & Science Alliance
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| In its first year of operation, National Semiconductor's Power of Education Grants have provided over 3,500 teachers with 22,000 hours of professional development in inquiry based science. |
National’s 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.
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If you have questions about National Semiconductor’s Power of Education Program, contact us at community.care@nsc.com. |
