Newsclippings and Press Releases

TAPESTRIES, a program created to assist Toledo Public & Springfield Local Schools (K-6) in the implementation of their hands-on science curriculum, held an informational retreat at the Lake Erie Research & Education Center located in Maumee Bay State Park this past week. TAPESTRIES' Co-directors, Dr. Charlene Czerniak of University of Toledo and Dr. Jodi Haney of Bowling Green State University, organized the retreat which was attended by 36 principals and curriculum specialists from both Toledo Public and Springfield Local Schools.

Attendees learned about the important roles they play in ensuring the success of the TAPESTRIES program. Support Teachers, who assist other teachers in utilization of science kits and teaching strategies, were on hand to explain their roles as well as discuss projects they are currently working on within the school systems. Kip Bisignano, Support Teacher Coordinator for Toledo Public Schools, facilitated a lively, participatory example of the classroom science activity entitled, "What makes moving objects slow down," to show what TAPESTRIES teachers have learned in their professional development sessions. Bisignano also led a session outlining the prominent teaching method used in the program called the five-E model: Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Extension, and Evaluation.

"The entire evening was well-focused and provided information relevant to the reform efforts in the area of science and the academic curriculum in general. I was able to better see the whole picture that involves bringing the resources of the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University to classroom teaching and learning. It brought the science kits to reality for many in attendance who were actually able to work through some of the kits," said Jane Steger, a member of the Toledo Public Schools Curriculum Alignment Team.

Other meetings that took place this week involved over 220 Toledo Public School teachers from grades K-6. Teachers who participated in last summer's TAPESTRIES science Institute met for two hours with their grade-level peers to discuss the problems, challenges, and successes they've encountered during the first quarter. Together they brainstormed solutions and shared new science teaching ideas. The meetings provided the teachers an opportunity to discuss the science kits they are utilizing and clarify teaching strategies that can work best at their particular grade level. Annie Norwood, a 6th-grade teacher at Harvard Elementary, said she found it very beneficial to have the opportunity to break out into a group with other 6th grade teachers and discuss her particular grade-level concerns.

TAPESTRIES (Toledo Area Partnership in Education: Support Teachers as Resources to Improve Elementary Education) is a five-pronged, $13.2 million community partnership between Toledo Public Schools (TPS), Springfield Local Schools (SLS), the University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, and the National Science Foundation. The TAPESTRIES initiative directly addresses the urgent need of providing effective science instruction to children in the TPS and SLS systems. By utilizing hands-on, exploratory science kits, children are able to truly experience and make real-life connections to science. This method makes science more approachable for both the teachers and the students. The ultimate goal of this project is that teachers will return to their classrooms with fresh ideas and confidence with regards to their science curriculum. Further information about the TAPESTRIES project can be obtained by contacting Connie Black-Postl, Program Coordinator at 419.530.2059.