Science to the Second Power: Co-Teaching in the Science Lab

In May, Education Week wrote an article featuring the NEST, which is the inspiration for this post. I would love for you to check out the article and the photos of my classroom!

Early-Grades Science: The First Key STEM Opportunity

by Madeline Will

https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/05/23/early-grades-science-the-first-key-stem-opportunity.html

The back story: In 2016, my principal asked me if I would be interested in being an intervention resource teacher at our PreK-2nd grade school. I countered with "how about a science lab teacher instead?" and the NEST was born! The purpose of the NEST, which stands for Nurturing Engineering Science and Technology, was to provide a science lab for our young students, as well as a job embedded opportunity to co-teach with the faculty. This would not be an activity time, where the teachers could leave the students, but a coaching time, where we could teach side by side. At that time, our state had recently adopted new science standards that align with the Next Generation Science Standards. Having the chance to coach the teachers on these new standards, in the classroom, with the students, using hands-on materials, was an innovative opportunity for our entire faculty. This would not have been possible without supportive administration, and preparation of our teachers.

During the first year in the NEST, teachers brought their students and remained in the classroom and assisted as I lead the lessons, modeling hands-on inquiry-based instruction, and management of science materials. Last year, I began releasing responsibility of the lessons to the teachers beginning in second semester. I still provided content support and would co-teach with the teachers. The goal was to assist teachers in becoming more confident and comfortable teaching science content and using hands-on materials and equipment.

After two years in the NEST, the results have far exceeded our expectations. Teachers not only have a better understanding of the science content, but have become confident and comfortable with science instruction. Students are benefitting from having two teachers in the classroom. We are learning from each other and most importantly from the students!

As we approach the third year of the NEST, we will continue to co-teach and collaborate. The focus of the co-teaching is yet to be determined... I will keep you posted.

Photos courtesy of KeyHole Photography