University of Louisville -- More About GEMS

More About GEMS

The primary goals of GEMS are:

To improve the communication skills of the Fellows by having them assume an active role as content resources with middle school teachers in the classroom and as STEM role models with middle school students. From these GEMS experiences, Fellows will emerge as knowledgeable ambassadors in their professions for community support of K–12 science and mathematics education.
To increase the content knowledge and best–teaching practices of elementary teachers by providing professional development tailored to support new JCPS Content Standards and inquiry–based curricular materials.
To enrich the learning of STEM concepts and skills by middle school students and to provide opportunities for novice STEM learners to experience the excitement of exploration and discovery in mathematics and science.
To further strengthen the ties of University of Louisville STEM faculty with K–12 educators and to broaden the partnerships that inform those faculty of the needs of pre–service and in–service teachers.

Benefits for and Expectations of GEMS Fellows and of GEMS Teachers.

GEMS Leadership and Structure

UofL and STEM personnel image

GEMS Project Directors:

Dr. Christine Rich,
Department of Chemistry, PI
Dr. Wiley Williams,
Department of Mathematics, Co-PI
Amy Herman,
Mathematics Specialist, JCPS
Lee Ann Nickerson,
Science Specialist, JCPS, Co-PI

These UofL faculty will also support GEMS Fellows and teachers in their content and pedagogy:

Dr. Bill Hoston, Physics Department
Mary Rising, Mathematics Department
Dr. Charles Thompson, Mathematics Education
Dr. Tom Tretter, Science Education
Dr. James Watters, Chemical Engineering

Each GEMS team consists of a Graduate Fellow, either a sixth grade mathematics or seventh grade science teacher, a UofL Content faculty member, and an education professional. Teams participate in a seven–day summer workshop developing a common understanding of inquiry–based learning and best teaching practices using JCPS curricula. Prior to this, Fellows spend three days learning about state and national STEM standards and problems, discussing strategies for engaging middle grades students, and beginning to develop communication skills for interacting positively in a middle grades classroom.

During the school year Teams also attend GEMS seminars about every other Monday night to learn additional content and pedagogical methods, to interact with mentors in Team meetings, and to perform occasional evaluation activities. Fellows also complete an electronic journal weekly.