2012-2013 Maine PSP Cohort Application

The Maine Physical Sciences Partnership is pleased to announce the call for applications for the 2012-2013 MainePSP Cohort, targeting grades 6-8.  Cohort participants will have access to $7000 worth of hands-on science instructional resources, online support, professional development opportunities, and a professional learning community of teachers, administrators, university faculty and staff, pre-service teachers, and non-profit partners.  Applications are due February 29, 2012.

Background:
The Maine Physical Science Partnership (http://umaine.edu/mainepsp/), supported by a $12.3M grant from the National Science Foundation, seeks to understand and improve the teaching and learning of the physical sciences in grades 6-9 in rural environments.  In 2010-2011, a task force comprised of middle and high school teachers, university faculty and graduate students evaluated and selected two sets of instructional resources for middle school physical science classrooms.  The 2011-2012 MainePSP Cohort, a community of twenty-three teachers from eleven schools, has been piloting these instructional resources in their classrooms this year in partnership with faculty, staff and students from the University of Maine, and contributing to research on the effective teaching and learning of physical science.

Eligibility:
We are currently seeking applications for middle school participants for the 2012-2013 school year.  The SEPUP instructional resources address earth science and chemistry, and are typically implemented in 6th grade classrooms.  The PBIS instructional resources address force & motion and energy, and are typically implemented in 8th grade classrooms.  We are accepting applications from all MainePSP partnering districts and regions (http://umaine.edu/mainepsp/about-2/members/), including Penobscot River Educational Partnership member schools, Downeast Educational Partnership Member schools, AOS 91, and RSU 20.  If you are not located in any of these regions, please contact MainePSP before submitting an application.

How to Apply:
Applications should be completed at the district or regional level and submitted by Curriculum Directors/Curriculum Coordinators.  Teachers or school administrators who are interested in participating should contact their Curriculum Coordinator.

Application Instructions:
Please read and/or complete the attached documents, which are described below.  Applications are due February 29, 2012.

1. Overview (Action: Read) – This document explains the timeline and process for applying.
2. Cohort Application (Action: Complete) – This editable document will allow curriculum coordinators to plan and propose their district’s involvement in the project.  Only one application should be submitted for your district, and it should include all participating schools/teachers.  If applicable, existing piloting teachers (2011-2012 Cohort) should also be discussed in the application.
3. Memorandum of Understanding (Action: Read) – This document outlines the responsibilities and expectations for all parties involved in the Partnership.  It is important that all teachers and administrators represented in the application read and understand this document.  At this time, this document should not to be signed or submitted.

• Overview – MainePSP Application
• 2012-2013 MainePSP Cohort Application
• 2012-2013 MainePSP Memorandum of Understanding

The 2011-2012 school year has been an exciting time for the Maine Physical Sciences Partnership.  We thank you for your support, and look forward to another year of collaboration and growth.  Please contact Erika Allison at erika.allison@maine.edu or (207) 581-4674 with any questions about the Maine Physical Sciences Partnership or the application process.