Science by Inquiry at SBC

What is it?

Science by Inquiry at Sweet Briar College was a group of science faculty dedicated to supporting K-8 educators and administrators utilize inquiry-based teaching strategies in the science and math classroom. Inquiry starts with a testable question and students analyze data to answer that question.

I joined the group in 2006 and remained until its dissolution in 2015. Over the years, we wrote grants for teacher training, designed and implemented teacher and administrator training, disseminated project results, and developed a teacher leader program.

My role

As the Project Manager, I did what was needed to meet the requirements of each grant we were awarded. As we were a small college, this meant taking on multiple roles. During a typical grant cycle, my responsibilities included:

  • Liaise with up to 15 school divisions for top-down support
  • Needs assessment for each school division, summarizing in grant
  • Timeline and budget planning and implementation
  • Market grant program to recruit participants
  • Design and implement training sessions
  • Support team members with implementing training sessions
  • Evaluate teachers’ work and overall program effectiveness
  • Work with support staff to ensure participants’ needs were met
  • Design and plan annual dissemination conferences

Results

  • Consistent grant funding from Virginia from 2010 until program ending in 2015. Each grant completed according to timeline and on or just under budget
  • Annual dissemination conference with teacher presenters highlighting project results with 80-100 attendees at each
  • Over 40 exemplary teacher-written and tested lesson plans prepared for sharing with teachers and schools
  • Over 250 teachers from 15 school divisions trained on using inquiry in the classroom, some becoming teacher-leaders
  • Principle’s workshop trained administrators on what to look for in an inquiry-based classroom
  • Four publications, including two based on teacher-designed lesson plans.
  • Received a “Programs that Work” award from Virginia.

Other SxI@SBC Members

Jill N. Granger, Ph.D. – currently Dean of Brinson Honors College at Western Carolina University

Hank Yochum, Ph.D. – currently Department Head and Professor of Physics at The Citadel

James L. Alouf, Ph.D. – currently retired, former Professor of Education at Sweet Briar College

Tim Loboschefski, Ph.D. – currently Professor of Psychology at Sweet Briar College