Mayo Clinic researcher Stephen Ekker, Ph.D., welcomed the principal and teachers from Lincoln K-8 Choice Public School, into his zebrafish research lab this summer. They were learning to be scientists, and, in turn, developing curriculum modules to enable their students to participate in real scientific research.

 

Dr. Ekker’s research team and the teachers hoped to develop one classroom research module for each grade. Instead, they’ve come up with about 40. Modules are designed to help teachers engage youngsters across their courses (not just during a science class period), and include components relating the science to history, geography, foreign cultures, social media and more. The whole school — from kindergarten through 8th grade — will be part of this new paradigm, integrating science into life.

In final week of the program, 14-year-olds came in to learn some zebrafish science as well – and to grade the teachers and their new modules.

These modules will be implemented school-wide in the following year (2009-2010), then revised and expanded the following summer.

 

 

 

What happened?  A partnership between Mayo Clinic and Rochester public schools continues to move forward.  Scientists toured a class on Monday and spoke to small groups of students.

 

Why does it matter?  Lincoln Choice School teachers are working with the Mayo Clinic scientists to teach new, hands-on science activities.  The program forges a relationship between a highly skilled organization from the business world and public school students.

 

What comes next?  The programs are being delivered to all grades at Lincoln, but eventually they hope to deliver the same lessons districtwide.