Sorry for the delay! Weeks 1&2 have been filled with my knowledge of literary studies that are specifically centered around RET and STEM education in the classroom. My goal these two weeks has been to do as much reading as possible about RET programs and how they have benefitted teachers nationwide.  I have also learned and explored different ways of teaching for example “The Legacy Cycle” which sounded incredibly intriguing because it is a combination of the scientific method inquiry that I would teach my kids but it exercises inquiry based learning as well which I will be honest is tougher to pull off due to lack of resources and support.  Through much research I am seeing a bigger and bigger gap between the need for IBL and the actual implementation of it.  RET programs help to close that gap because it gives teachers such a great opportunity to get into labs and create lessons with engineering in mind, programs that school districts cannot pay for, professional development that is sorely lacking in most states, AZ namely one of them.  I have been trying to find a “gap” in the research; what types of studies have barely been done when it comes to teachers and STEM and professional development and how it really affects teaching.  An interesting quote from one lit. study was that there are “barely any studies that have examined teacher’s development as scientists.” This could be a great study to for this internship.   I am also wanting to learn ways to find a topic that closes the gap with qualitative and quantitative results.  This is also an area where I am weak as in 6th grade, that is tough to teach my students but how valuable it is.  I have multiple areas in my teaching where this internship can sharpen my skills and I can take back so many ideas.   Week one was really my search and seeking information and gaining knowledge.

Week two has become more specific.  I met with my mentor last Monday to go over so much of the research I had done.  Our goal of that meeting was to narrow down the information and then kick off my second week with learning more about that information.  We decided I would look into  STEM and professional development opportunities for teachers, its frequency, programs that exist, etc.  The information I have read about this has been compelling as most sources say that the US is hardly competitive worldwide, we lack innovation in the classrooms mostly due to students not getting enough rigorous lessons but also the gap of teachers and their education.  Math and science skills are lacking as a whole for most elementary school teachers which poses a huge problem because of kids aren’t getting that foundational knowledge, their interest or capability in STEM work is limited.  How can RET help this problem?  Do internships like this help us as teachers to go back to your classrooms and feel more compelled to teach a STEM or IBL lesson? I have plenty more to read and research and analyze.  Friday our plan to meet again and further dissect the readings I have done so that my idea is more concrete.

Here’s to week three. I will let you know 🙂