GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER CREATING INNOVATIVE RESOURCE FOR STEM EDUCATOR DEVELOPMENT
New programs will serve educators interested in teaching through project-based learning

September 27th, 2012

CLEVELAND (September 27, 2012) – Great Lakes Science Center, in partnership with Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s MC2 STEM High School, Cleveland State University and the Ohio STEM Learning Network, announces the launch of the Center for Innovation in STEM Education (CISE) at the Science Center, home of the NASA Glenn Visitor Center.

Each of the partners brings unique and complementary strengths, including Great Lakes Science Center’s unique setting and expertise in informal science education, MC2STEM High School’s nationally recognized success with project-based instruction, and CSU’s record of providing strong pre-service and in-service teacher training in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). CISE also acts as the Regional STEM Training Center for the Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN), a statewide consortium of STEM schools, regional hubs and training centers designed to share and scale up best practices in STEM education.

In its pilot year, CISE will debut a suite of programs to help educators integrate project-based learning into their classrooms, especially in the areas of STEM. Educators will also receive training on how to use a FAB LAB (Fabrication Laboratory) – a design and production space conceived at MIT that combines industrial design equipment with user-friendly technology – and how to integrate hands-on prototyping projects into their curriculum. Future sessions will build upon these core competencies to broaden the Center’s offerings, and graduate credit from Cleveland State University is available with each class. CISE also offers the opportunity to tailor its work to an entire school or district that wants to transform the way it approaches and teaches STEM.

“Teaching STEM well can really challenge educators, for a variety of reasons. We feel that the combined strength of this collaboration can offer a valuable and accessible resource to educators and help them better engage students in STEM,” said Whitney Owens, vice president of education, Great Lakes Science Center. “We want to partner with educators to innovate the way STEM is taught.”

“We are proud to partner with Great Lakes Science Center on CISE,” said Jeff McClellan, principal, MC2 STEM High School. “Educators will be able to see first-hand the project-based learning techniques that are currently employed by the Science Center and MC2 STEM High School staff, plus they can learn how to use resources like the FAB LAB to create engaging and meaningful classroom curricula.”

“All of our institutions work hard toward furthering science literacy in today’s students,” said Sajit Zachariah, Dean, College of Education and Human Services, Cleveland State University. “Great Lakes Science Center provides an engaged learning atmosphere that will attract educators who are eager to enhance their STEM curriculum.”

“Future demand for a STEM-related workforce here in the US will only increase,” said Dustin Pyles, Director of Operations, Ohio STEM Learning Network. “That is why we strongly support a program like CISE as we work towards making STEM instruction and learning accessible and meaningful for both educators and their students.”

CISE’s pilot year begins on Friday, October 12 – North Eastern Ohio Education Association (NEOEA) Day – with an all-day hands-on STEM sampler class. This will offer educators insight into using Project-Based Learning in the classroom, as well as the opportunity to explore the FAB LAB. From there, classes become specialized, with in-depth instruction focused on the FAB LAB and Project-Based learning. For specific class information and registration details, visit www.GreatScience.com and click on “Just for Teachers.”

The Center for Innovation in STEM Education is supported by Race to the Top funding through the Ohio STEM Learning Network, which is managed by Battelle Memorial Institute.

Media Contact:
Kristen Shorkey
Marketing & PR Manager
216-696-3823
shorkeyk@glsc.org

About Great Lakes Science Center
Great Lakes Science Center is one of the nation’s leading science and technology centers and home to Northeast Ohio’s NASA Glenn Visitor Center. Its mission is to engage visitors through fun, interactive experiences to stimulate curiosity about and encourage understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. It features hundreds of hands-on exhibits, themed traveling exhibits, daily demonstrations, the awe-inspiring OMNIMAX® Theater and the Steamship William G. Mather. The Science Center is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Discounted parking is available for guests in the attached 500-car garage. Great Lakes Science Center is generously funded by the citizens of Cuyahoga County through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture. For more information, contact the Science Center at 216-694-2000 or visit www.GreatScience.com.

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