Washington university education department receives $10 million...( St. Louis Mo. Sept. 25 2002- The Dep...)

As one of only ten NSF funded Centers for Learning and Teaching, CISTL will serve as a national model, improving science education through research and researched practice.

Unique to CISTL from the other Centers funded by NSF is the focus on collaboration among various types of institutions supporting science education. CISTL partners include Tyson Research Center, St. Louis Science Center, Saint Louis Zoo, Missouri Botanical Garden, University of Missouri in St. Louis, St. Louis Community College, the Association of Science-Technology Centers and five school districts -- University City, St. Louis Public Schools, Riverview Gardens, Maplewood-Richmond Heights and Kirkwood.

"This is a unique opportunity for the St. Louis community to support and to advance the development of an urban learning alliance in science education that links a major research university to important repositories of scientific knowledge in the community," said William Tate, chair of the Department of Education. "I view this NSF award to Washington University as significant in developing models of excellence in teacher education and doctoral studies in science education that are directly connected to urban communities. This is an exciting moment for Washington University and all involved in this endeavor."

The five-year project officially begins in January 2003, though work on CISTL began with a developmental grant from NSF last year.

"Our primary goal is to improve science learning and teaching across the educational continuum," said Christine Klein, principal investigator and project director for CISTL. This includes pre-service and in-service teachers, staff at local science institutions, doctoral and po
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Contact: Neil Schoenherr
neil_schoenherr@aismail.wustl.edu
314-935-5235
Washington University in St. Louis
25-Sep-2002