Penn STI Resource Center

What is the Penn STI Resource Center?

The Penn STI Resource Center builds from the Dreyfus Chemistry Education Resource Center housed in the chemistry department and the Penn-Merck Collaborative for the Enhancement of Science Education resources housed in Penn’s Graduate School of Education.  In addition to physical resources there are also three new aspects to the Resource Center:  electronic resources, on-going professional development programs, and a grants program.  All aspects will be overseen by committees of participants and graduates under the supervision of Penn STI administrators.

Physical Resources:

The physical resources of both of the Dreyfus CERC and the Penn-Merck Collection were merged in Spring 2005 into two locations within the chemistry department.  The Resource Center will continue to be a participant gathering place since it contains computers, printers and scanners for use in helping teachers complete their course work; reference books for participant support of both course work and their classroom science teaching, with all reference materials available for loan to participants and graduates; and AV resources as well as some materials/equipment for loan for teacher classroom use. The Penn-Merck curriculum kits are housed in a storage room conveniently located near the Chemistry Department delivery entrance.

New materials will be continually added to the Resource Center with initial new materials being focused on supporting teachers in the MISEP in both their course work and their school classrooms. 

e-Resources:

The electronic resources will be made available through the Penn STI website, and will contain lessons, MCEP theses, laboratories and other resources created by teacher participants. A committee is currently meeting to start this new set of resource materials.

Professional Development Opportunities:

The new on-going professional development programs will be determined, designed and organized by current and graduate participant teachers to ensure that appropriate and useful programs are offered.  These may include but not be limited to safety seminars, summer research experiences for teachers and perhaps students, field trips to science-related locations and industry, and sharing sessions among teachers with common teaching assignments.  Watch for the up-coming Dreyfus Short-Courses for Chemistry teachers in Summer 2007!

Grants Program:

The grants program will make available up to $10,000 in Year 1 and up to $20,000 in each of Years 2-5 for grants of up to $1,000 each to participating teachers or graduates who wish to purchase equipment, materials or supplies to initiate a new curriculum or innovative lesson.  Applications and an evaluation report will be required.

Physical Resources

e-Resources

Professional Development

Grants Program

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