Academies

The annual Curriculum Leadership Academy, conducted over five days each summer, immerses the MSSELI Fellows in team building in order to establish a risk-free collaborative setting. Each day of the week begins with a high-energy group experience that develops communication and trust among the participants. The outcomes of these opening activities are highly regarded by the Fellows and are often implemented in classroom settings to establish a framework of collaboration and respect for every perspective.

Science instructors begin their work in the summer Academy by discussing the science content presented in instructional materials and the research findings surrounding science teaching and learning.  An emphasis on the nature of science is carefully planned in every aspect of the Leadership Academy and informs all curriculum and instruction. Distinguished lectures from some of the nation’s experts in science education are a featured part of the week. For example, Dr. Roger Bybee, one of the most prolific authors on achieving science literacy, has been an honored contributor to MSSELI Curriculum Leadership Academies.

A unique scientific inquiry is conducted each year to engage the Fellows in the effective teaching and learning of complex concepts. The professional dialogue that occurs during the inquiry experience is further expanded in other sessions on curriculum analysis. The MSSELI leadership team utilizes the seminal work of the National Research Council, “How People Learn,” to inform the Fellows and drive discussion.

Improving student achievement is at the forefront of every MSSELI discussion. A significant amount of the weeklong academy is invested in Analyzing Instructional Materials (AIM), intended to identify the conceptual flow in the instructional materials that maximizes student understanding. Also, a thorough analysis of assessment techniques is conducted to best understand indicators of student conceptual development.

While MSSELI cannot take credit for student achievement in the participating classrooms, the research on the effects of professional development on student achievement suggests a strong correlation.

Creating Education Leaders- MSSELI Fellows receive intensive training in leadership strategies (green), utilizing activities (grey).