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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
"Empowering Science Education through Technology" (E-SET) is a virtual science community based on an innovative online and field study learning program. E-SET seamlessly integrates technology into science education by means of an interdisciplinary online curriculum, collaboration, and inquiry/project based activities centered on Texas' rivers, coastlines, and geologic features. Through innovative conferences, seminars, and online workshops with leading science education professionals, teachers, principals, and administrators will have access to ongoing, sustained professional development to further the use of technology in the classroom. Using the technologies and equipment provided by the grant, students and teachers have the opportunity to attain higher-level thinking skills by analyzing water data, conducting relevant research, and collaborating on findings with schools across the state. E-SET leverages award-winning programs such as Cyberways and Waterways (CW) as well as the University of Texas, Austin, Institute for Geophysics National Science Foundation (NSF) programs.
THE OPPORTUNITY
E-SET integrates the best practices of proven, research-based inquiry
and project-based studies, centered on the geosciences and crucial, relevant
issues impacting all Texans - water. The program provides an overall learning
environment and process that promotes teacher competency in technology
applications, improves student achievement and attitudes towards learning,
and represents an effective model for innovative applications of technology.
Teachers and curricula/technical coordinators will work together to implement
effective E-SET geoscience curricula modules that are research-based and
fully aligned to the TEKS. They will collaborate with other teachers and
schools on best practices relative to the integration of technology. E-SET
is also designed to promote community and parental involvement in the
learning process.
COMMUNICATION/COLLABORATION
The E-SET online community will be hosted on the 4empowerment website.
The e-learning website provides students and teachers with their own personal
project management area to upload data, create projects and reports, record
their observations, and collaborate with other schools across the state
through private discussion boards. Once published, their projects and
reports are then publicly viewable online, allowing them to share their
research with the community. Students can research a database of information
through the innovative online mapping of Texas' rivers, creeks, and coastlines.
Online chat rooms will allow students and teachers to communicate with
peers, mentors, and science industry professionals around the world.
TECHNOLOGY TRAINING
Effective professional development activities for this grant are ongoing, school-based, and organized around collaborative problem solving. E-SET proposes a multi-level professional development component that maintains flexibility for individual teachers through both online and offline workshops. The proposed objectives, strategies, and goals of E-SET are in line with member districts' long-range technology plans in providing sustained professional development, promoting equity to support State content standards, and developing new applications of technology to support the school reform effort in order to impact student academic achievement.
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The E-SET Consortium
Texas School Districts: Austin, Brazosport, Brownwood, Colorado,
Corpus Christi, Eagle Pass, Harlingen, Laredo, Little Cypress-Mauriceville,
Northside (San Antonio), Palacios, Pflugerville, Presidio, San Felipe-Del Rio, Shamrock, Van Vleck
Partners:
4empowerment
Accessibility Institute, UT Austin
Aquarena Center, Texas
State University at San Marcos
Charles A. Dana Center, UT Austin
Brazos-Sabine
Connection
Capitol Area Training Foundation
Center for Environmental and
Rural Health, Texas A&M University, College Station
College of Education,
Texas State University at San Marcos
Flower Garden Banks, National Marine
Sanctuary
Gimbut and Associates
Gulf of Mexico Foundation
Institute for
Geophysics, UT Austin
Knowbility
Lower Colorado River Authority
Remote
Data
Texas Department of Transportation
Texas Instruments
Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department
Texas Watch, Texas State University at San Marcos
Check out other 4empowerment programs!
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