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The SAGE Project has received $450,000 for five years from HHMI to enhance the science curriculum in eight elementary schools and one middle school on or near Indian Reservations across the state of North Dakota. Each year approximately 650 students in grades four through six are served by the project. The overall mission of the project is to create more inquiry-based science experiences for students and connect these experiences to local Native culture. The SAGE Project encompasses three main features to accomplish its mission: professional development, curriculum development, and hands-on instructional materials.
For professional development activities, appoximately 35 classroom teachers and one faculty from each of the five Tribal Community Colleges attend local workshops during the school year and one state level workshop in the summer. At the local workshops, teachers participate in a number of ways. Some workshops are focused on specific curricululm or instructional strategies that match the purpose of the project. Other workshops may be less formal and center around teachers sharing instructional ideas and resources with their SAGE colleagues. The annual summer workshops at the University of North Dakota allow teachers to further explore and share instructional strategies thereby networking on a state level.
Beginning in 1997, the SAGE teachers have been developing and writing science curriculum lessons that infuse cultural connections with inquiry-based science teaching. Groups of teachers from different sites have collaborated on the curricululm units and are currently field-testing them with their students. One goal of the project is to assemble curriculum kits that reflect the spirit of the SAGE for use in other classrooms.
SAGE monies also support the purchase of hands-on science instructional materials for the participating teachers. With these new materials in their classrooms, SAGE teachers are better able to implement science topics in exciting ways that are consistent with the National Science Education Standards. Teachers are given freedom to purchase materials that match their local curriculum and school needs.
Overall, the SAGE Projects believes in the professional expertise of teachers to lead the way to overcome challenges and implement exciting newopportunities on North Dakota Indian Reservations. Therefore the project strives to meaningfully support teachers in their efforts to make a significant difference to their students' education.
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