GIRARD For a change, teachers learn through program

The program was tailored to meet the needs of high-school chemistry teachers.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
GIRARD -- After becoming a student again, Christine Lucarielli did more than enhance her knowledge of chemistry.
The five-year Girard High School science teacher also changed many aspects of how she teaches and reaches out to her own students.
Lucarielli is pursuing a master's degree through the Foundation for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education program at Youngstown State University.
"Being in the program helped me be more aware of what I'm doing in the classroom," Lucarielli said. "It helped me become more motivated as a teacher, do more active projects."
Lucarielli, who teaches integrated science and biology to students in grades nine through 12, holds a bachelor's degree in cell biology from Penn State University. She enrolled in the FIPSE program in summer 2002.
Changes
Lucarielli said she's made several changes in how she teaches over the last year, such as placing greater emphasis on lab projects that allow students to discover concepts and ideas; stressing more cooperative and student-centered learning; encouraging team and peer teaching within the classroom; and focusing more on group learning.
"Grades and self-esteem have improved and it makes me feel wonderful as an educator," she said. "They want to be in the classroom."
Many high-school chemistry teachers get their undergraduate degrees in secondary education, or physical or integrated science, but not in chemistry, said Dr. Stacey Lowery Bretz, associate professor of chemistry at YSU and FIPSE project director. As a result, some are still "weak on content" and others may have gaps that need filling, she said.
To address those and other challenges, the FIPSE program has tailored a master of science in chemistry degree to including a concentration in chemistry education and a thesis project.
The program is funded through a three-year, $332,990 U.S. Department of Education grant. One of its main objectives is to integrate learning more about chemistry with learning better ways to teach chemistry and science, Bretz said, adding that the program can also help teachers of biology and other sciences.
Requirements
Participants in the program are required to complete at least 35 hours of course work and the thesis. The 35 hours includes courses on research techniques, seminar classes for the thesis project, and a minimum of 14 hours of thesis research, and three graduate level chemistry courses.
"They're going to be lifelong learners as a result of what they do in this program," Bretz said.
She receives e-mails from chemistry departments across the country interested in adopting the program to fit the needs of their area's teachers, Bretz said. And many instructors from around the nation have requested that an online version be made available to teachers outside YSU's commuting distance.
For information about the FIPSE program, e-mail slbretz@ysu.edu or visit www.as.ysu.edu/chem/slbretz.