Research for Better Schools

News

July 21, 2008

New National Center for Cognition and Science Instruction

Awarded to Pennsylvania Organizations

The U.S. Department of Education's Institute for Education Sciences has awarded a new national center to a partnership headed by F. Joseph Merlino, director of The 21st Century Partnership for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education. The Center will use the principles of cognitive science to modify two popular middle school science programs—Holt and FOSS. The new adapted curricula will be scientifically tested in a study involving over 150 schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Professional development will also be provided to teachers. The resulting adapted curricula and professional development materials will be widely disseminated to educators across the country. The project is funded for five years.

The partners include the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, the University of Pittsburgh, the Math & Science Collaborative of South Western PA, and Research for Better Schools.

More information can be found in press releases issued by Gov. Ed Rendell and and U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak.

New Search