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Intel(R) Brings Science and Engineering Outreach Program to Indianapolis Public Middle School Students

Posted on: Monday, 31 October 2005, 09:00 CST

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) has been selected to participate in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) Outreach Program, which is aimed at encouraging females and underrepresented middle school students to participate in science education and fairs. This unique program is used to expose middle school students to research methodology, inquiry-based learning activities, science careers and science mentors.

The Intel ISEF Outreach Program is a complementary program to the international competition and is provided by the Intel(R) Innovation in Education initiative and Intel Public Affairs.

The program was kicked off Oct. 28-29 with a teacher's workshop. Participants in the training sessions include 10 IPS teachers, one each from the participating schools and IPS Science Coordinator Sue Becker. It is anticipated that approximately 3,500 students will be involved in this program.

The training session will be based on Intel ISEF Middle School Science Fair: A Guide for Teachers, which offers a comprehensive curriculum and planning guide. It provides teachers with a detailed road map, outlining planning considerations and hands-on activities for the 30 weeks leading up to a fair. Downloadable files include the complete teaching guide, plus an accompanying set of transparencies. The guide has been developed by a team of experienced science teachers and has been used in middle school outreach efforts for the last two years.

"This program is designed to help IPS students gain experience in using the scientific process to generate questions, design investigations, collect data and analyze results," said Barbara Carman, Intel's program manager for Intel ISEF. "It also provides teachers with support and a solid foundation for developing inquiry-based learning environments with students.

The following IPS schools have been selected to participate in the Outreach Program, based on specific criteria required by Intel

-- Cold Springs School

-- Crispus Attucks Middle School

-- Emma Donnan Middle School

-- George Washington Community Schools

-- Harshman Middle School

-- John Marshall Middle School

-- McFarland Middle School

-- Sidener Middle School

-- Shortridge Middle School

"The Intel Outreach Program supports the district goals of excellence, scholarship, respect and courage by enhancing the IPS Math, Science and Technology Improvement Initiative," IPS Superintendent Dr. Eugene G. White said. "We are grateful for being selected because partnerships like this are vital to increasing the number of schools that sponsor science fairs, thus encouraging higher academic standards."

The Outreach Program was brought to Indianapolis because of the perseverance of the Intel ISEF 2006 Host Committee, led by Dr. William Gilmore, Executive Director of the Science Education Foundation of Indiana (SEFI) and Ms. Alisa Wright, Science Education Foundation of Indiana Executive Committee Member and BioConvergence, LLC Chief Executive Officer. The 2006 Host Committee saw the need to bring this program in Indianapolis as a way to leverage existing efforts to promote K-12 science education in Indiana.

Additionally, SEFI was instrumental in the recruitment of the Intel ISEF, the world's largest pre-college science fair, to Indianapolis in 2006. Held annually in May, the Intel ISEF brings together more than 1,400 high school students from more than 40 countries, regions and territories to compete for scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips and a $50,000 scholarship for the grand prize winner.

"The earlier our students are exposed to science and technology in schools, the more likely they are to take these kinds of classes in later grades," said Dr. Gilmore. "That translates into more students pursuing careers in these fields. With Indiana's life sciences jobs rate growing at twice the national average, this program can only help our students prepare for the jobs of tomorrow."

In a survey of last year's Intel ISEF Outreach participants, students stated that the program had bolstered their confidence in their ability to understand science and technology. They also indicated they would be more likely to take courses in science and technology in high school. In addition, eight out of ten students felt that they would do well in high school science fairs and nearly the same number were more likely to participate in high school science fairs.

"The goal is to replicate this Outreach Program around the state in the coming years," said Alisa Wright. "This is a great way for the teachers to gain additional scientific knowledge and teaching strategies, broaden student interest in science and relate the science projects to science careers and other business contexts."

Two-hundred middle school students participating in this program will be selected to participate in a one-day Middle School Fair held at the Intel ISEF 2006. The Outreach Program will culminate in the Intel ISEF Middle School Awards Ceremony on May 11, 2006.

Intel Foundation is providing the grant money, which provides funds for 16 hours of facilitated training, transportation, supplies and training materials for each school. In addition, the Intel ISEF 2006 Host Committee is providing a stipend to teachers completing the program and is securing community 'mentors' for each student.

About SEFI

The Science Education Foundation of Indiana (SEFI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging students to choose careers in math and science and practice these careers in Indiana. SEFI focuses on issues affecting math and science education in Indiana, and also administers the state's regional science and engineering fairs. SEFI is also responsible for bringing the Intel ISEF to Indianapolis in 2006, attracting over 6,000 visitors - including key scientific and business leaders in the life sciences - to Indiana's capitol city. www.sefi.org

About IPS:

Indianapolis Public Schools, Indiana's largest school district, is committed to ensuring that all 38,000 students are able to achieve to their highest potential so that they may become knowledgeable, responsible, productive, employable citizens. For more information, visit www.ips.k12.in.us.

About Intel(R) Innovation in Education

Intel(R) Innovation in Education initiative is a sustained commitment - in collaboration with educators and government leaders worldwide - to help today's students develop the higher-level thinking skills they need to participate and succeed in a knowledge-based economy. For more information, visit www.intel.com/education.

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

Source: Business Wire

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