Application

The TeXas Earth and Space Science Revolution (TXESS Revolution) is a rigorous, high-quality, geoscience professional development program for 8-12 grade minority-serving science teachers and teacher mentors in Texas. 

The professional development workshops are being offered by Dr. Kathy Ellins and Dr. Hilary Olson, UT Austin, both of whom have extensive experience with professional development, and who have written a rich curriculum of learning materials.  The  TXESS Virtual Cafe will be maintained and moderated by Dr. Eleanour Snow, University of South Florida, who has been teaching through the internet for more than a dozen years.

 

Why should I come? Because you will:

• be prepared to take on the challenge of teaching the new capstone Earth and Space Science class.

• receive rigorous curriculum materials.

• produce a Professional Portfolio that can be used for career advancement.

• have an opportunity to participate in optional workshops, summer institutes, and field programs.

• establish professional relationships with scientists.

• earn SBEC credits.

• receive a Certificate of Participation from the Jackson School of Geosciences

 

Why should my principal agree to let me come? Because your school will:

• be able to offer ESS as an option for the 4th year of science.

• have a teacher on staff who is a leader in ESS implementation and training.

• lead the nation in reaching out, with a rigorous science curriculum, to minority students who are typically underrepresented in the sciences.

The innovative program is offered by UT's Jackson School of Geosciences and Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, TERC, a not-for-profit company in Massachusetts with 30 years experience in designing science curriculum, and the Texas Regional Collaboratives for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching.

 

What are the expectations for participants?

• Attend 4 TXESS Revolution Academies over a 2 year period (2007 – 2009, 2008 – 2010, or 2009 - 2011).

• Receive 24 hours of training during each academy, requiring absence from the classroom for a maximum of 2 days for each PDA (total of 8 days over 2 years)
  

• Provide 6 hours of outreach to 25 teachers.

• Participate in the online learning virtual café by using its resources, communicating with other participants, sharing ideas, creating personal blogs, and communicating with the project investigators and evaluator

• Assemble a portfolio to chart progress and demonstrate competence to teach ESS

• Take assessments to demonstrate proficiency and gains in knowledge and skills

 

What will it cost participants?

• There is no cost to teachers.  Travel, lodging, meals (except dinner on second night), and materials are covered by the project.

• Schools will need to cover the cost of substitute teachers.  

 

More information:

About the program >>

Upcoming workshops >>

 

TXESS Revolution Partners: