Mesa Science Literacy for the iGeneration (SLiG)
Mesa Public Schools (Mesa), in partnership with Northern Arizona University/Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CTSL), Northern Arizona University Physics Department, and Southwest Evaluation Research have set forth to enhance the quality of science education for over 1080 Mesa elementary students through the implementation of the Science and Literacy for the iGeneration (SLiG) project. This project will deliver professional learning, focused on physical science to 35 Mesa teachers, thus forming a cadre of "science literacy champions."
As an integral component of the SLiG grant, mobile learning devices (MLDs) will be an introduced into the professional development experiences providing teachers with ability to access information, communicate, collaborate and create applications within the context of science. Participants will have an email account, calendaring solution and ability to create universally accessible word processing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. They will be able to share these documents with colleagues for real-time collaboration. Direct data communication with the NAU professor, CSTL staff, project teachers, technology specialists, etc. will create a virtual professional learning community from which teachers will be able to pose questions, solicit peer input, reflect on learning through threaded discussions, research content concepts, identify classroom resources and simulations, access, review AZ science standards, access digital versions of textbooks, and volumes of professional materials.