Aug. 31, 2006 12:15 AM Honolulu Timezone

Teachers RIP at Science Education in Kaimuki Complex Through Federally-Funded Partnership

The Research Investigation Process (RIP ™), a scientific inquiry program for kindergarten through high school science education, changes the way teachers and students think about science. Students learn standards-based science concepts using the RIP by testing hypotheses related to objects and events that are interesting and important to them. Teachers and students at schools in the Kaimuki Complex in Hawaii are experiencing this first-hand through RIP~ing@Science in Kaimuki Complex thanks to the formation of a federally-funded partnership.

Honolulu, HI (PRWEB) August 31, 2006 -- ANOVA Science Education Corporation (ANOVA Science; http://www.anovascience.com ) announced today that it has partnered with the Hawaii Department of Education’s Kaimuki Complex and the Biology Program at the University of Hawaii to coordinate “RIP~ing @ Science in Kaimuki Complex.” This program is designed to use scientific inquiry to enhance science instruction and assessment practices, student learning, and critical thinking ability across ten schools through introduction of the Research Investigation Process (RIP ™). The RIP is a scientific inquiry based K-12 science education program developed by research scientist and science education specialist Dr. Robert Landsman, also the president of ANOVA Science. RIP~ing @ Science in Kaimuki Complex has received funding through a competitive Title II Federal Math and Science Partnership Grant. The grant, renewable for up to three years, is designed to encourage partner organizations to develop and participate in standards-based professional development activities that will improve student outcomes in math and science. Especially targeted were programs designed to develop highly-qualified K-12 science teachers equipped with science content knowledge and to improve K-12 student achievement in those schools identified as “needs improvement.”

“I am excited about the partnership that the Kaimuki Complex Schools have formed with the University of Hawaii Biology Program and ANOVA Science Education with its state-of-the-art scientific research-based Research Investigation Process,” said Estelle Wong, Kaimuki/Kalani Complex Area Superintendent. “Use of this process will help our teachers to align their curriculum with state and national standards and develop students who wonder about their world, are able to think critically, and solve problems logically and methodically. Dr. Landsman fully understands the power and promise of students who are motivated and excited about learning. His Research Investigation Process provides teachers with a means to motivate and excite students."

According to the documents supporting the funded partnership grant proposal, Kaimuki is a “high-need” complex. Last year, out of the 5552 students serviced, 2994 live in families with incomes below the poverty line and qualify for Federal Free and Reduced (F&R) Lunch. Those numbers translate to 54% of the entire 10 school complex student population with a range from 13% to 96.7% Free and Reduced Lunch, depending on the school. Approximately one third of Kaimuki’s student population is designated Special Education or English Language Learners (ELL).

“Students are capable if teachers create the learning opportunities,” stated Kaimuki Complex School Renewal Specialist Dr. Alan Ramos, who is serving as one of the coordinators for the grant. “This is an opportunity for our teachers to gain in experience through training to help our students compete in the global society in the universal language of progress which is science.”

This year’s participating teachers have already taken the initial step to begin implementation of the RIP™ inquiry model into their classrooms by attending an intensive summer training session, conducted by ANOVA Science and the Curriculum Section of the Honolulu District, in which they assumed the same roles as learners that their students will assume this school year. Teachers were instructed in how to use the RIP ™ model and in techniques to facilitate implementation of the RIP ™ into the classroom, including applications of technology to instruction. The series of summer workshops supporting RIP~ing @ Science in Kaimuki Complex were facilitated by Dr. Landsman, who serves as Content Coordinator for the grant, and Pamela Kohara, who is the Technical Resource Teacher for the Kaimuki Complex.

When asked for her evaluation of the training, National Board Certified 10th grade Kaimuki High School science teacher Jami Muranaka stated, "The RIP training workshop was the best professional development course in science that I have ever taken. What I learned from the training was very practical and could be immediately implemented in my classroom.” Ms. Muranaka has already begun to introduce the program into her instructional practices. “I started using the Research Investigation Process with my students on the first day of class, and one month later, we are still using it daily. So far, I have seen students excited about 'doing science' and being challenged to think like a scientist. Many of my students enter my class as robots, having been told throughout their school years what to investigate in science and how to investigate it. The RIP encourages them to be creative and investigate questions relevant to their own lives. As a teacher, my job has become easier. Rather than planning lessons on a daily basis, the students plan their own lessons and I serve as a guide, making sure they learn what they need to learn while allowing them to make their own choices within the curriculum guidelines."

Joyce Luka, a Palolo Elementary School teacher, is currently implementing the RIP ™ with her colleague Sharon Gouveia. Ms. Luka described what happened during their third inquiry lesson with a particularly motivationally- and behaviorally-challenged class of 5th grade students: “We had a breakthrough. The children were raising their hands and participating. Success!”

“The energy and time already invested in competing for the grant and training the initial 22 participants has already doubled the returns!” claimed Ms. Kohara, the grant Project Director. “This partnership is a tremendous opportunity for the renewal of the science curriculum in the Kaimuki Complex schools. Not only are the teachers motivated about the RIP, but also many have already reported to me that this program is already getting their students excited about science. What could be better? I believe Kaimuki Complex is ready to RIP through science.”

ANOVA Science Education Corporation assists schools in implementing scientific research-based science education programs, providing students with critical thinking and decision making tools for life-long learning skills that support economic growth and the maintenance of security in the USA. As sole distributor of products and services associated with the Research Investigation Process (RIP ™) inquiry-based science education program for K-12 schools, the contribution of ANOVA Science's vision, services, and products toward the nation's movement for science education reform has been recognized and is well-received by national and state education organizations. ANOVA Science's activities and services include professional development workshops and seminars for elementary school, middle school and high school teachers; teacher coaching and mentoring; curriculum development addressing state and National Science Education Standards; and publishing education materials available online at http://www.anovascience.com . For more information about RIP~ing @ Science in Kaimuki Complex, please call (808) 741-8512 or to learn more about ANOVA Science's products and services, visit www.anovascience.com .

Media Inquiries, interviews (broadcast, print, national):
Abbe Buck, Communications Manager
HighViz Consulting Group
Toll-free: 1-800-380-2825

or

Ev Rios, Customer Service
ANOVA Science Education Corporation
(808) 741-8512

Aug. 15, 2006 04:00 AM Honolulu Timezone

ANOVA Science Education Corporation Releases New Book to Assist Teachers Through the Challenges of Preparing for Inquiry-Based Science Instruction

The newest release from ANOVA Science Education Corporation is available to schools nationwide. "Look at Me Now!: Motivate Young Minds to Think & Learn Through Scientific Inquiry" explains the rationale behind inquiry-based instruction and leads teachers of all grade levels through the steps in planning a guided inquiry. Both reviewers and teacher consumers already give this teacher-friendly scientific inquiry book a unanimous thumbs-up.

Honolulu, HI (PRWEB) August 15, 2006 -- ANOVA Science Education Corporation (ANOVA Science; http://www.anovascience.com ) announced today that its subdivision, ANOVA Science Publishing, has officially released its newest book for kindergarten through college teachers -- "Look at Me Now!: Motivate Young Minds to Think & Learn Through Scientific Inquiry." Written as an instructional tool, "Look at Me Now!" assists teachers who plan to incorporate the scientific inquiry process into their instructional practices.

The author, neuroscientist and science education specialist Robert E. Landsman, Ph.D., draws much of the book's content from many of his own real-life experiences -- from childhood to professional scientist and teacher of science. Beginning with the factors that personally motivated him to understand the power of instruction of science and the fostering of critical thinking skills through scientific inquiry, the author delves briefly into the underlying research that supports the foundation for the call for teachers to begin using inquiry-based approaches to instruction. At the heart of the book is a clear description of the components of scientific inquiry and how they can be drawn-in to serve as a process for thinking and learning in the classroom. Here, the author describes the Research Investigation Process (RIP ™), a scientific inquiry thinking model that he developed for use in K-12 education. Of considerable use to "first-time" inquiry teachers, or those who are honing their inquiry-based instructional skills, is a chapter devoted exclusively to the planning of a teacher-guided scientific inquiry.

"Look at Me Now!" has received a unanimous thumbs-up from both teachers who have already begun using the book and reviewers. One reviewer, Dr. Don DeWitt, teacher of science at Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, NJ, stated, "This book explains the nuts and bolts of this process in a sometimes light, simplified tone that can make the most difficult concepts easy to digest and implement in any classroom. This book is a must for every teacher!"

"Look at Me Now!," focusing predominantly on instruction through guided inquiry, complements Dr. Landsman's two other recently published books on scientific inquiry and critical thinking. "RIP-ing Through Scientific Inquiry: Critical Thinking and Effective Decision Making Skills for Middle School and High School Science Education" introduces the Research Investigation Process (RIP ™). The RIP scientific inquiry program, designed to teach science to and develop critical thinking skills in K-12 students, combines his 30 years of scientific research experience and 15 years of teaching at the secondary level. This book can be used either independently or as a companion to "Data Analysis and Decision Making in Scientific Inquiry: A Statistical Approach for Middle School and High School Science Education." This student-friendly guidebook illustrates how to summarize and analyze data collected in scientific inquiry-based field and laboratory studies.

"We are very excited about the accolades we have already received about our new book from our most critical consumer -- the teachers," commented Dr. Landsman, also president of the corporation. "Together, our publications position ANOVA Science to take a lead role in supporting student achievement through the introduction of RIP-based scientific inquiry into K-12 instruction on the national level."

The RIP, a scientific research-based program, is recognized as one of the Nation's 15 Exemplar Programs in high school science education based on evidence from secondary level student products and impact on post-secondary academic and career performance. This program was recently highlighted in the National Science Teachers Association's (NSTA) "Exemplary Science" series publication, "Exemplary Science in Grades 9-12: Standards-Based Success Stories," and featured as part of the Exemplary Science Program at the 2006 Annual NSTA National Conference on Science Education. RIP scientific inquiry has also proven effective for elementary level instruction, as evidenced by a number of successful RIP-scientific inquiry products from elementary school classes presented by their teachers at this year's Annual NSTA National Conference.

ANOVA Science Education Corporation assists schools in implementing scientific research-based science education programs, providing students with critical thinking and decision making tools for life-long learning skills that support economic growth and the maintenance of security in the USA. As sole distributor of products and services associated with the Research Investigation Process (RIP ™) inquiry-based science education program for K-12 schools, the contribution of ANOVA Science's vision, services, and products toward the nation's movement for science education reform has been recognized and is well-received by national and state education organizations. ANOVA Science's activities and services include professional development workshops, seminars, and projects; teacher coaching and mentoring; curriculum development addressing state and national standards; and publishing education materials available online at http://www.anovascience.com . For more information, and a chance to speak directly with Dr. Landsman, please call (808) 741-8512 or visit www.anovascience.com .

Media Inquiries, interviews (broadcast, print, national):
Abbe Buck, Communications Manager
HighViz Consulting Group
Toll-free: 1-800-380-2825

April 05, 2006 03:30 AM Honolulu Timezone

ANOVA Science Education Corporation President to Talk on Scientific Inquiry at the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) National Conference on Science Education

Company president, Robert E. Landsman, will present three talks centering on science education and the use of scientific inquiry as an instructional tool for professional development workshops and K-12 classrooms. One of the presentations is invited and will feature the Research Investigation Process (RIP ™ ) as an exemplary science education program. These talks will be held at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel on April 6 and 7th.

Honolulu, HI (PRWEB) April 5, 2005 – ANOVA Science Education Corporation (ANOVA Science; http://www.anovascience.com ) announced today that its President and developer of the Research Investigation Progress (RIP™) scientific inquiry program for grades K-12, Dr. Robert E. Landsman, will deliver three presentations, including one invited, at the National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) National Conference on Science Education to be held in Anaheim, California on April 6-9, 2006. The talks will discuss scientific inquiry as an instructional tool for developing critical thinking skills and learning science in the context of standards and research-based practices. In “Using Scientific Inquiry to Revamp Thinking and Process in Science Education,” Dr. Landsman will describe elements of and student and teacher products resulting from a seven year implementation of a RIP-based scientific inquiry program at a high school. Long-term impact data will also be presented indicating the profoundly positive effect that the program had on the lives of students as they continued on in their education and in their careers well after they graduated high school. This talk will be delivered on April 6, 12:30-1:30 PM at the Anaheim Marriott.

Dr. Landsman will also join Hawaii Department of Education’s Honolulu District Resource Teacher Ms. Irene Kamimura in a co-presentation, “Effective Inquiry-based Professional Development Leads to Successful Inquiry-based Student Learning,” featuring scientific inquiry professional development strategies, instructional techniques, and evidence of successful outcomes obtained from professional development workshops and classroom implementation. Teacher and student products addressing state and National Science Education Content, Teaching, Assessment, and Professional Development Standards will be described. This talk will be delivered on April 7, 5:00-6:00 PM at the Anaheim Marriott.

As invited speaker at the “Exemplary Practices Symposium on Grades 9–12 Science Programs” at the Anaheim Marriott on April 7 at 8:00 AM, Dr. Landsman will describe some of the salient features of the RIP pointed out by former RIP teachers and students and their parents and present evidence that these features led to successful student and teacher outcomes. He will also describe some of the apparent commonalities of these features across the other science education programs selected as exemplary by NSTA based on a goodness-of-fit with visions elaborated in the National Standards. “It is a privilege to participate in this national conference and to be able to share with educators across the country student and teacher success stories resulting from the use of the RIP program to address student achievement in science. Recognition from the leading national organization in K-12 science education is an honor,” commented Dr. Landsman.

Recently highlighted in NSTA’s Exemplary Science series volume, “Exemplary Science in Grades 9-12,” the RIP, a scientific research-based program, has been recognized as one of the Nation’s 15 Exemplar Program in high school science based on evidence of student success in education and life-long learning skills. Linking thirty years of scientific research experience and fifteen years of teaching, Dr. Landsman has merged his knowledge, experience, and skills as educator and scientist into this K-12 program aligned with the National Science Education Standards.

ANOVA Science Education Corporation, located in Teaneck, NJ and Honolulu, HI, assists schools in implementing scientific-research-based science education programs, providing students with critical thinking and decision-making tools for life-long learning skills that support economic growth and the maintenance of security in the USA. The corporation recently developed a subdivision, ANOVA Science Publishing, to coordinate all of its science education products, which include instructional books and posters featuring the RIP scientific inquiry program. The company’s newest product is “Look at Me Now,” a guided inquiry book written for teachers of all grades. As sole distributor of products and services associated with the Research Investigation Process (RIP™) inquiry-based science education program for K-12 schools, the contribution of ANOVA Science’s vision, services, and products toward the nation’s movement for science education reform has been recognized and is well-received by national and state education organizations. ANOVA Science’s activities and services include professional development workshops, seminars, and projects; teacher coaching and mentoring; curriculum development addressing state and National Standards; and publishing education materials available online at www.anovascience.com . For more information, and a chance to speak directly with Dr. Landsman, please call (808) 741-8512 or visit www.anovascience.com .

Media Inquiries, interviews (broadcast, print, national):
Abbe Buck, Communications Manager
HighViz Consulting Group
Toll-free: 1-800-380-2825