March 21, 2008, 12:03 AM Honolulu Timezone

Scientific Inquiry a RIP~ing Success at Hawaii’s Kaimuki Complex K-12 Schools

One year after a scientific inquiry-based science education program, the “Research Investigation Process” (RIP), was introduced into the Kaimuki Complex of schools in Honolulu, Hawaii, evaluative data indicate a profoundly positive impact on teacher instruction and student learning of K-12 science. 

Honolulu, HI (PRWEB) March 21, 2008 -- The Research Investigation Process ( RIP ® ), a research-based science education program for kindergarten through high school, changes the way teachers and students think and learn about science. The RIP was introduced to teachers and their students during the initial year (2006-2007) of “RIP~ing @ Science in Kaimuki Complex,” a federally-funded initiative supported through a competitive Title II Federal Math and Science Partnership (MSP) Grant targeting improvements in science and mathematics instruction in K-12 schools.

The RIP, distributed and supported in schools by ANOVA Science Education Corporation (ANOVA Science; http://www.ScientificInquiry.com; http://www.anovascience.com), emphasizes the thinking processes that scientists use to engage in their inquiries about the world. “Through our program, students learn standards-based science concepts by testing hypotheses related to objects and events that are interesting and important to them,” stated Dr. Landsman, developer of the program and president of ANOVA Science. “The design of the RIP invites relevance into the learning experience as students initiate investigations based on their own interests, thus becoming participants in the development of the science curriculum aligned to standards.”

One year of participation in this Kaimuki project has led to enthusiastic and scientifically-literate teachers and student learners across all grade and skill levels. Assessments administered throughout the year to the teachers and students involved in the project indicated that both showed increases in confidence in using scientific inquiry to learn about science. Both also showed sharp increases in their knowledge and understanding of how scientists conduct their investigations, especially the mathematics that are involved in the decision-making process in scientific inquiry. According to Dr. Alan Ramos, Complex Area School Renewal Specialist for Kaimuki Complex, “The students' writing and reports indicate more use of critical thinking, and their methods for conducting experiments are rigorous due to their understanding of data gathering and organizing, as well as their interpretations made from the data.”

The Kaimuki Complex schools are prevalently Title I schools containing a high number of ELL and academically-challenged students. According to MSP project evaluator Dr. Bob Pergolizzi, “This is a highly successful program with regard to science education as evidenced by an impressive display of benchmark improvements in a traditionally difficult-to-reach population.”  Special Education students have also gained in their knowledge and skill in scientific inquiry evidenced by measures of performance on assessments administered periodically throughout the school year according to Dr. Pergolizzi’s evaluation report for year one of the project.

When asked what he observed to be the impact of the RIP professional development on the teachers who had participated in the project, Dr. Ramos stated, “Many of our elementary teachers do not have formal training in the content of science.  In self-assessments conducted prior to the RIP Program, many of the teachers indicated their knowledge level, competence and confidence level in teaching science in their classrooms was not very high.  In the past year, since the inception of the RIP Program, our teachers who received training in the RIP Program have increased their understanding of Hawaii’s science standards and their skills level in science has increased tremendously. This is evidenced by the observations made in their classrooms and the products of their students in science projects last year and this year.” 

According to Ramos, “Monthly walk-through of all classrooms has revealed a definite improvement: more student work is being displayed and there is an increased excitement for learning.” “This partnership raised the enthusiasm of the teachers in our complex and also enabled them to have a ‘can do’ attitude about teaching science to students because of their increased knowledge, competence and confidence.”

Teachers also expressed positive attitudes regarding the relevance and rigor that the RIP is bringing into their classrooms. For example, National Board Certified and Hawaii's 2007 State Teacher of the Year, 10th grade Kaimuki High School science teacher Jami Muranaka stated, "Many of my students have never had the opportunity to participate in open inquiries before coming to my class. When asked to make observations and formulate a research question, they are dumbfounded because in the past they have always been told what the research question was and how to investigate it. I think the fact that my students can actually formulate a research question and construct a testable hypothesis on their own is evidence that they are being challenged to think critically.”

Based on his analysis and overall review of the combined quantitative and qualitative data generated by both teachers and students, Dr. Pergolizzi concluded that “The primary goals of the MSP ‘to increase the academic achievement of students in mathematics and science by enhancing the content knowledge and teaching skills of classroom teachers’ are clearly being met by the RIP~ing @ Science in Kaimuki Complex program. As an individual with concerns about the future of science education in America and around the world, I would like to see the RIP program broadly implemented elsewhere without delay.”

RIP is a trademark or registered trademark and service mark or registered service mark, of ANOVA Science Education Corporation, ANOVA Science Publishing, and Dr. Robert Landsman in the U.S. and/or other countries. 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 or http://www.ScientificInquiry.com.

For more information about the RIP or to speak with Dr. Landsman directly, please call 808-741-8512.

Feb. 20, 2008 04:57 AM Honolulu Timezone

"Scientific Inquiry Starts Here! ™ ";

ANOVA Science Education Corporation Purchases ScientificInquiry.com and

Launches RIP Awareness

Campaign

ANOVA Science Education Corporation announces its recently acquired domain name to the education world using the slogan, " Scientific inquiry starts here! ™ "  This announce-ment coincides with the company's promotional campaign for raising the awareness of its successful Research Investigation Process (RIP) science education program among kindergarten through high school educators.

Honolulu, HI (PRWEB) February 20, 2008 -- ANOVA Science Education Corporation (ANOVA Science; http://www.anovascience.com or http://www.ScientificInquiry.com) ANOVA Science Education Corporation announced today that it has purchased the domain name ScientificInquiry.com. This domain will help to establish the company as the premier leader in kindergarten through high school level scientific inquiry professional development services and products, including its Research Investigation Process (RIP®) books and wall posters published by its subsidiary, ANOVA Science Publishing. According to ANOVA Science Board member Mr. Gordon Schaubhut, “This is a milestone in our current thrust to begin a nation-wide advertising campaign that will make elementary through high school teachers and administrators, and colleges and universities across the nation take notice of our proprietary and very successful science education program.”

According to the company, the awareness initiative will target the community of elementary school teachers and secondary school teachers through print media, including professional science education and general education journals and newsletters; dispersement of promotional materials at science, science education, and general education conventions and conferences; and through company sponsored promotional seminars and workshops.

The RIP, a scientifically-research-based science education program that incorporates scientific inquiry and critical thinking in an instructional model, is at the center of the professional development services and education products marketed by ANOVA Science. "ScientificInquiry.com is the most appropriate domain name for development of a marketing website for our products and 'Scientific Inquiry Starts Here! ™ ' a fitting slogan for the support services we provide to teachers and schools," said ANOVA Science president and neuroscientist, Dr. Robert Landsman. “Research in the fields of education, learning, and motivation provides convincing evidence that students who learn science in the context of scientific inquiry are more motivated learners, do better in science, and are more likely to pursue science in higher education and as careers than students who learn in more traditional manners. The mission of our company is to use scientific inquiry to foster more positive student attitudes toward science and to promote higher student achievement in the learning of science across the country.”

Included in its advertising initiative, ANOVA Science has begun to offer brief hour to two-hour, as well as half-day and full-day, informational sessions designed to provide a taste of the RIP program professional development experience for educators. These sessions are typically hosted by education organizations such as a college, university, or school district, and attended by a wide variety of participants, ranging from teachers to superintendents. According to Dr. Landsman, “These mini-workshops demonstrate to educators that scientific inquiry really does starts here. They raise awareness about our company’s mission in education and provide participants with a sampling of our professional development activities focusing on scientific inquiry and critical thinking. Most importantly, they have consistently resulted in extremely positive reviews.”  

One such session, hosted last December by the Professional Resources in Science & Mathematics (PRISM) center at Montclair State University in New Jersey, was attended by approximately 30 educators from 12 school districts covering Northern New Jersey. Following the session, PRISM Director Dr. Jackie Willis commented, “Before the end of the RIP program, the teachers and administrators were having many ‘Aha!’ moments and were asking how they could bring the RIP training and materials into their own classrooms.  Clearly, the Research Investigation Process program and products have broad application for the improvement of science and mathematics teaching.”

RIP is a trademark or registered trademark and service mark or registered service mark, of ANOVA Science Education Corporation, ANOVA Science Publishing, and Dr. Robert Landsman in the U.S. and/or other countries. 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 or http://www.ScientificInquiry.com.

For more information about the RIP or to speak with Dr. Landsman directly, please call 808-741-8512.

Feb. 7, 2008 12:57 AM Honolulu Timezone

RIP Granted Registered Trademark and Service Mark for ANOVA Science Education Corporation's Scientific Inquiry Program: Research Investigation Process

When students "RIP," they are learning science and thinking through the process of scientific inquiry. RIP ® (Research Investigation Process), the scientific inquiry-based science education program for elementary through high schools, is now a registered trademark and service mark denoting the products and services provided by ANOVA Science Education Corporation.

Honolulu, HI (PRWEB) February 7, 2008 -- ANOVA Science Education Corporation (ANOVA Science; http://www.anovascience.com or http://www.ScientificInquiry.com) announced today that an official certificate of registration has been issued for the mark, "RIP," from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The company's president, Dr. Robert E. Landsman, received official notification from the USPTO that RIP ® is a legally registered trademark and service mark of commerce for the Research Investigation Process for use on printed and other education materials, and to designate professional development activities used in critical thinking and scientific inquiry training of K-12 teachers and professionals in other fields. Both marks were officially registered to Dr. Landsman on January 15, 2008.

The RIP ®, a scientific research-based program, has been recognized as an exemplary science education program by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and was a featured part of the NSTA's Exemplary Science Program at the 2006 National Conference on Science Education. "As state and national science education initiatives continue to push professional development to the forefront, it becomes ever more important to protect the intellectual property embedded in the products marketed by ANOVA Science," stated Dr. Landsman. "The granting of these marks represents the next step in brand development and protection of our proprietary RIP products, workshop materials and professional development services."

The company provides training and support for teachers across the continental United States and in Hawaii, making them qualified to teach science and other content areas through the RIP scientific inquiry/critical thinking education program. According to Hawaii Presidential Award teacher Shari Kaneshiro, who has used the program for more than a year, "The RIP guides students through the inquiry process while developing in them a strategy for using critical thinking in making decisions in school and beyond. It also promotes critical thinkers and introduces students and teachers to an exciting time in the teaching of science and other integrated subjects." Ms. Kaneshiro will share her success in using the RIP with sixth graders in her presentation to colleagues at this year's National Conference on Science Education in Boston.

RIP is a trademark or registered trademark and service mark or registered service mark, of ANOVA Science Education Corporation, ANOVA Science Publishing, and Dr. Robert Landsman in the U.S. and/or other countries. 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 or http://www.ScientificInquiry.com.

For more information about the RIP or to speak with Dr. Landsman directly, please call 808-741-8512.