Traveling Road Show or Effective Professional Development? : A Professional Development Science Project on Wheels / Vincent A. Anfara, Jr., Susan T. Danin and Kathy Melvin.

This study evaluated a science professional development initiative developed by the Delaware State Department of Education, examining the nature of professional development activities, their effect on science classrooms, and their impact on teachers, students, and schools. The Science Van Project integrated technology and inquiry into Delaware's high school classrooms. Science Van visits consisted of a specialist who brought sets of laptop computers interfaced with electronic data-collecting probes or other hardware/equipment to teachers' classrooms. A typical classroom visit lasted 4-8 days. Specialists worked alongside teachers to demonstrate the proper use of technology and to model best practice pedagogy. Students used the technology to conduct scientific investigation. To be eligible for Science Van visits, teachers had to participate in project workshops. Data from surveys, interviews, observations, and pretests/posttests of teachers and students indicated that the project effectively incorporated the five elements of professional development. Teachers reported increases in areas specifically targeted by the professional development and in their knowledge of state content standards. They gave the Science Van program high ratings in effectiveness. Students reported liking the Science Van visits very much. They believed that their understanding of science content and of designing and conducting experiments improved. (Contains 13 references.) (SM)

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.