Teachers Undergo Science Curriculum Training: The JASON Project

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Rick Folwell from the JASON Project is pictured providing a group of teachers with an overview of the many resources available to teachers and students. Folwell is an eighth-grade science teacher from Idaho.

Aldine ISD middle school science teachers attended two-day sessions this summer to train on the new JASON Project curriculum that will be incorporated this school year. Chevron made this possible by selecting AISD as one of three districts in the Houston area to participate in the award-winning program. Chevron provided a $254,631 check to fund the JASON Project in AISD middle schools.

The training had groups of teachers train in one of four two-day sessions offered from July 30 – Aug. 10. On one of the days, a group of teachers were exposed to the Terminal Velocity curriculum. One of the tools used to make the subject interesting are crash tests developed by the JASON Project and in partnership with the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. This tool educates students about physics by making the subject matter engaging, meaningful and accessible to students. The JASON Project offers seven curricula: Terminal Velocity (physics — forces and motion), Tectonic Fury (geology), Infinite Potential (energy), Resilient Plant (ecology), Monster Storms (weather), Return to Titanic, and Marine Mammals of the Arctic. The unique curricula include a combination of hands-on projects, video lessons, interactive events, games and research.

The JASON Project’s comprehensive professional development program is designed to increase teachers’ expertise in implementing inquiry-based science curricula in the classroom and prepare them to use JASON curricula with their students. During the training sessions, teachers practice inquiry-based learning, technology integration, student motivation, differentiated instruction and more. Participants work in groups to perform activities from the curriculum, explore Web resources, and discuss best practices for implementation.

A group of teachers are pictured working on a hands-on project to help students understand velocity, momentum and acceleration.

The 21 AISD teachers who were trained will serve as “coaches” to implement the program districtwide. The experience will culminate with one teacher and one student being selected for a hands-on experience aboard the exploration vessel Nautilus.

“I am very excited about the JASON Project,” said Xandra Earlie, AISD program director of secondary science. “The JASON Project connects students to real science and exploration to inspire and motivate them to study and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. Everything about the JASON Project is geared toward making science fun and interesting.”

Dr. Robert Ballard, a National Geographic explorer and discoverer of the Titanic and the Bismarck, conceived the JASON Project in 1989. For more information about the JASON Project, visit http://www.jason.org.