Science teachers from around Wyoming gained valuable insights on incorporating science into their classrooms during a recent workshop at the University of Wyoming.
The Science Posse, a group of UW graduate students whose primary goal is to raise awareness and understanding of science, offered the workshop to 19 teachers and 20 UW graduate students.
Workshop sessions related to integrating inquiry-based teaching into curriculum. Participants joined group discussions, took several tours and learned ways to encourage inquiry within students.
Participants were unanimous in praising the opportunity to discuss teaching methods and styles with others. One participant said, "I enjoyed the process by which we learned about inquiry. The activities were very useful and effective in demonstrating the process skills involved with inquiry."
Another said, "The course opened my mind to new ideas and ways of teaching. It created enthusiasm to start another school year."
With this workshop, the Science Posse challenged itself to expand its offerings to schoolchildren across the state. The group has worked with some 70 teachers and 2,500 students in 12 Wyoming counties since its creation in 2006.
The group's goals are to increase public appreciation and awareness of science, improve students' understanding of science, inspire students to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and develop and enhance partnerships between UW and the Wyoming energy industry.
Science teachers attending the Science Posse workshops, listed by town are:
Aurora, Colo. -- Lorry Getz.
Cheyenne -- Barbara Marquer, Amber Martens, Margaret Nicholls and Patricia Urasky.
Douglas -- Mark Steward.
Gillette -- Katie Brunson, Jodi Crago-Wyllie.
Glendo -- Samantha Schwessinger.
Greybull -- Victoria Collingwood.
Kemmerer -- Cody Hartung.
LaBarge -- Ann Wimp.
Lander -- Monte Else.
Laramie -- Kim Burkhart and Pamela Stalder.
Lusk -- Damian Paulson.
Mountain View -- Kimberly Williamson.
Yoder -- Lonna Schmick.
