Pre-Service Teacher Program Questions

Do I have to be a science major to participate?
No, in fact we encourage elementary-ed majors and other non-science ed majors to participate because we will provide you the skills necessary to be successful and feel confident teaching science in a student-centered instructional environment.

When does the program start?
The COMETS program will begin in June 2007 and continue through May of 2009. Each session (spring, summer, and fall) will approximately follow the academic calendars (balanced between K-12 and higher ed).

Summer sessions will begin the early June and continue through the middle of August.
Fall sessions will begin mid August and continue through early December.
Spring sessions will begin mid January and continue through early May.

Do I have to work both summer and fall?
No, we will accept applications now for multiple sessions. On the application form, you can specify which sessions you are most interested in participating.

If a person can student teach in a school that feeds into one of the centers, could COMETS use him/her during student teaching?
If he/she were involved during a prior session and if her/his work was excellent, it might be acceptable.

How much daytime commitment do we require from the candidates?
In the summer, the activities will be during the day (perhaps even morning) up to 4 days per week (this will depend upon the schedules of each center). Our hope is that the community center will find 2-hour blocks for COMETS instruction. Participating pre-service teachers will also commit to 2 training session each week. These training sessions will add up to 6-8 hours during the summer. This training session will also include time to reflect as a group after implementation each week. Your final weekly commitment will include 4-6 hours for reflection and lesson-plan development. This reflection and lesson-plan piece of the program can take place at home and away from campus.

In the Fall and Spring, the activities will be after-school so these times will be between 3-6pm. Our hope is that the community center will find 2 1.5-hour blocks for COMETS instruction. Participating pre-service teachers will also commit to a Friday training session each week. These training sessions will be 4 hours each week during academic year to plan and coordinate COMETS activities. Your final weekly commitment will include an additional 4-6 hours for reflection and lesson-plan development. This reflection and lesson-plan piece of the program can take place at home and away from campus.

Teacher Program Questions

What kind of teachers can be involved in COMETS?
Both formal (in K-12 system) and informal (in after-school and summer programs) educators are very important in COMETS and will be recruited to participate.

If I am a formal teacher (in K-12 system), how can I be involved?
COMETS is focused on aligning informal education with formal education. Therefore, it is critical that COMETS leaders are receiving input on what is happening in the K-12 system. We will recruit a team of two teachers from several elementary schools, middle schools and high schools to participate in our Professional Learning Community and our Professional Development Workshops. Both teachers on the team will participate in our Professional Development Workshops but only one teacher will participate in the Professional Learning Community.

If I am an informal teacher (in an after-school or summer program), how can I be involved?
COMETS is an after-school and summer educational program, so participation of our educators in these programs is critical for the success and sustainability of COMETS. One teacher from each participating community center will be selected as the COMETS teacher. They will assist in the COMETS instruction, continue making GLOBE observations in between COMETS instructional days, participate in 8 days of professional development in 2007 and 2008, and participate in the Professional Learning Community. You will receive a stipend for your participation.

What is a Professional Learning Community (PLC)?
COMETS will develop an on-line discussion board to serve as focal point for collaboration among all COMETS educators. The PLC teachers will be paid a weekly stipend to contribute towards the discussion of needed science activities for the COMETS program. PLC teachers will also come together for a monthly meeting to discuss in person COMETS implementation to ensure that proper collaboration is occurring. COMETS PLC teachers will receive a stipend for their participation.