International Science Education Center

Objective of International Science Education Center: to share the most effective practices in science instruction and professional development with science teachers, science education professionals, and science administrators from around the world.

Background: The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the premier research institutions in the world. UW-Madison consistently ranks in the top five among public universities in its total Research & Development expenditures (data from 1994-2007). The Colleges and Schools of Letters and Science, Agricultural and Life Sciences, Medicine and Public Health, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Human Ecology, Nursing, Engineering, and Education are home to more than a thousand scientists, educators, and researchers. Science education from elementary through graduate education is an area of intense interest at UW-Madison. UW-Madison is committed to sharing what it has learned about most effective science instruction with educational communities around the world and one way it does so is through its continuing support of the Center for Biology Education and its many programs including WisTEP (see www.wisc.edu/cbe).

The Asian Partnership Initiative (API) of the UW-Madison Chancellor’s office is a prime example of UW-Madison’s commitment to international programming. API supports science education initiatives of the CBE as well as mnay other UW-Madison units. The API's home is in the International Programs office in the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences and is directed by Dean Ken Shapiro.

Current collaborations:

Thailand
CBE and WisTEP have worked with the Kingdom of Thailand for over five years. Educators from the Thai Ministry of Education (MoE), Mahidol University, Srinakharinwirot University, Mahasarakham University, Mahidol Wittayanusorn School, and the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST) have visited UW-Madison. Grouips of educators from Thailand have come to UW-Madison in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Delegations spend up to two weeks in Madison engaging in numerous activities and visiting and talking with teachers, researchers, and other educators from around Wisconsin. WisTEP Director Dr. Kevin Niemi has visited Thailand five times, each with stays of two to five weeks, to deliver and facilitate educational activities with Thai teachers, MoE administrators, and science educators from the IPST.

Niemi was awarded a Senior Specialists Program award from the Fulbright Scholar Program for his latest work in Thailand. The award from the Council for International Exchange of Scholars and the Thailand-U.S. Educational Foundation supported his work in Thailand during the month of September, 2007. Two, week- long institutes-one for elementary teachers and one for middle and high school teachers-on the incorporation of science inquiry into the classroom highlighted the visit. Other activities included during the stay included work with the IPST and its science staff, the School of Education at Mahasarakham University, the Institute for Innovation and Development of Learning Process at Mahidol University, and the Science Education Center at Srinakharinwirot University.

UW-Madison and several Thai Universities with Science Education graduate programs have Memoranda of Understanding for student exchanges. Students typically spend a year at UW-Madison as visiting scholars to consult with UW faculty and staff, continue work on their thesis proposals, and to practice and improve their English skills. Currently Srinakharinwirot University and Mahidol University are placing students in this exchange program with the School of Education and the Center for Biology Education and WisTEP.

Science Education Graduate Students/Visiting Scholars from Mahidol University, Institute for Innovation and Development of Learning Process, directed by Dr. Pintip Ruenwongsa.

2007-08: Atchara Nuam-In and Saowapak Teerasong

2006-07: Karnyupha Jittivadhna, Supaporn Porntrai, and Supot Seebut

2005-06: Jongdee To-Im

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UW-Stevens Point Global Environment Teachings (GET) program
WisTEP is collaborating with the GET program at UW-Stevens Point in working with teachers from China, Puerto Rico, and South Africa. CBE staff member Dolly Ledin led a delegation of Wisconsin teachers to Puerto Rico for a joint U.S.-P.R. program in environmental education. A delegation of GET teachers from these foreign countries (and U.S. commonwealth) is visiting Wisconsin and UW-Madison during July 13-27, 2008 for a two-week workshop jointly organized and sponsored by UW-Stevens Point and UW-Madison. Contact Susan Ermer or Jesse Haney at UW-SP or Kevin Niemi or Dolly Ledin at UW-Madison for further details.

South Africa
Through the work of WisTEP’s former director, Professor Emeritus Raymond Kessel, WisTEP has a strong programmatic connection with many universities, schools, and teachers in South Africa. South African teachers have participated in WisTEP summer programs for many years. Dr. Kessel continues to facilitate the connections of UW-Madison, WisTEP, and South African educators.

Mexico
Through a partnership with Professor Michel Wattiaux of the Dairy Science Department, Wisconsin teachers are engaged in exploring global issues in agriculture and the role of science in our lives. Universities and businesses in Mexico and the UW, Wisconsin state agencies and businesses are supporting this exchange program of ideas for teachers and students in their classrooms.

For more information, download this pdf regarding the Mexico-Wisconsin teacher and student exchange program. UW-Madison-Mexico exchange program

ISEC instructional activities:
WisTEP activities are based on the premise that educators need to be immersed in inquiry in order to understand how inquiry functions in the classroom. They need to deconstruct the experience and make connections to research on student learning and professional development to appreciate and assimilate the pedagogy of inquiry.

  • Topics of activities offered through WisTEP include instruction and pedagogy of science inquiry, inquiry-based science curriculum development and writing based on Analyzing Instructional Materials protocol, effective practice in professional development for science teachers, and assessment and evaluation of inquiry science.
  • These topics are probed and examined in depth through facilitated discussions, lectures, and activities led by UW-Madison and WisTEP educators, scientists, and science educators, visits to U.S. classrooms and discussions with classroom teachers focusing on classroom implementation of science inquiry instruction, and visits to regional informal science venues such as Science Museums, Botanical Gardens, Nature Centers, and Zoos.