UIC-CPS Inquiry Chemistry Program, "NCLB"

The Department of Chemistry in conjunction with the UIC Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science, has a grant from the Teacher Quality Program of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. This uses funds from the US No Child Left Behind grant to the IBHE. Beginning in September 2005 this program has supported our "UIC-CPS Inquiry Chemistry Program," which provides professional development to teachers on selected Saturdays six to eight times per year. Donald Wink and Lee Marek of the UIC Department of Chemistry have run the program, which features discussions and activities focused on student-centered learning. Many discussions have been led by the teachers. Others have involved visitors from other programs. Teachers involved in the program have come from more than fifteen CPS high schools, including Juarez, Corliss, Fenger, Kelvyn Park, Foreman, Farragut, King, Michele Clark, Whitney Young, Marshall, Washington, Van Steuben, Sullivan, Julian, and Crane.
The emphasis for the program is on learning by doing. Many times teachers leave with new materials to use in their classrooms, both printed materials and those they have made during the sessions. A recent session featured work by the UIC glassblower, Brian Schwandt, who demonstrated glass blowing techniques, such as those used here by a CPS teacher.
The six-hour sessions include a working lunch, when participants reflect on the activities they have been engaged in and discuss how they may incorporate the activities into their classrooms. Lunch sandwiches from UIC- area eateries are brought in for the participants. Many of the sessions also involve participation by students in the UIC teaching of chemistry program, forging new links between current and future teachers.