The Vermont Science Initiative: Building Capacity for Literacy in K-12 Science

The overarching goal of the Vermont Science Initiative (VSI) is to achieve scientific literacy among all of our children through improved instruction in science. Scientists and science educators from several of the state's higher education and K-12 institutions, the Vermont Department of Education, and Learning Innovations at WestEd have developed and implemented a series of intensive science learning experiences for K-8 teachers.

The VSI involves teachers in high quality coursework that has a direct impact on their content knowledge and their ability to deliver that content via sound, research-based content-pedagogy and to evaluate student learning through valid local assessments.

Participants in the VSI have four options

VSI Tier I: For K-8 teachers, a well-established three-year curriculum leading to a Master of Arts in Science Education (Tier 1).
VSI Leaderhip Academy: For K-8 teachers of science in Vermont a 13-15 credit program focusing in science pedagogy, science content, and leadership skills resulting in a science teacher leader certificate.
VSI Tier II: For K-8 teachers of science in Vermont, a one-year program of professional development that focuses on mastering science-related content, acquiring science-teaching skills, and improving general teaching practice (Tier 2 ).

Individual Course Offerings: Need a specific content or pedagogy course? Want to see what VSI is all about? VSI courses are also open for enrollment for any K-8 teacher as space allows.

Now registering for Issues and Assessment Courses

The Issues in Science Education Course is a 3 credit course held during 3 Friday/Saturday weekend sessions (Nov. 13/14, Dec 11/12, and January 8/9).

Educational Assessement in Science Education is a 3 credit course held during 3 Friday/Saturday weekend sessions (Feb 5/6, March 5/6, and April 9/10).

For more information and to register please see Courses and Applying.

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