About ATOMS^2XP

Advancing Teachers of Middle School Science (ATOMS^2XP) combines the content expertise of distinguished professors of Biological Sciences, Geosciences, and Physics, the instructional skills of exemplary secondary teachers, and the technology skills of the Center for Education and Training Technology (CETT) in a program that deepens the content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and technology-integration skills of 5th - 8th grade science teachers from across Mississippi. The goal of ATOMS^2XP is to increase the number of highly qualified teachers in the state and increase the academic achievement levels among the students of those teachers.

Participants will attend a two (2) week Summer Workshop, receive in-depth instruction in science content areas and develop two (2) instructional unit plans that are standards-based, use the principals of Understanding by Design (UbD), and are reflective of the knowledge gained through ATOMS^2XP. Each participant will receive a $1000 stipend for successful completion of the project, will have the use of a laptop computer for instructional use during the program, and will receive a science resource kit. Instructional video conferences offered via MSU Extension Service's video network, participation in online discussions with peers and university experts, development and submission of lesson plans and appropriate resource materials, and on-site classroom visits by university experts will broaden participants' knowledge.

Participants will receive credit in the form of 10 continuing education units (CEUs) upon completion of the one-year program. Further professional growth will be provided through the opportunity to attend the MSTA annual conference. Participants will expand the impact of ATOMS^2XP by providing professional development training for peer science teachers in their districts. Further sustainability of the program will be accomplished through universal availability of online resources, additional access to video conferences, and future collaborations of CETT and the school districts.

The Center for Educational and Training Technology (CETT) at Mississippi State University (MSU) has a history of k-12 curriculum materials development and training of teachers throughout the state and nation. CETT’s goal has been to enhance k-12 classroom experiences for students and teachers and bring about increased student achievement. Advancing Teachers of Middle School Science (ATOMS^2XP) carries on this tradition.

ATOMS^2XP has five primary goals:

(1) to assist middle school teachers in developing the in-depth science content knowledge and instructional methods necessary for increasing students' knowledge in today's 5th - 8th grade science classrooms;

(2) to increase student achievement by providing teachers with in-depth science content instruction and professional development training that link classroom practices to the National Science Education Standards (NSES), National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T), the 2010 Mississippi Science Curriculum Framework (MSCF), and the principles of the Understanding by Design model;

(3) to aid middle school science teachers in becoming highly qualified teachers as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB);

(4) to provide ongoing professional development in the content areas to participants throughout the course of the program; and

(5) to provide training to participants in effective methods of incorporating Understanding by Design and authentic assessment into instruction.

Participant requirements include:

• Attendance and participation in all instructional activities;
• Instructional unit plans and resources for developing in-depth knowledge of course content and application of that content in the classroom;
• Participation in online discussion group;
• Pretest and posttest of content knowledge;
• Demonstrated application of content knowledge of each subject area in the delivery of instruction in the 5th through 8th grade science classroom; and
• Delivery of professional development of content knowledge to other science teachers in the school or school district.

Content Experts for the (ATOMS^2XP) Project:

Faculty and staff members from the College of Arts and Sciences will be assisted by CETT staff with Masters, and Doctoral degrees in science and education and also by inservice k-12 teachers with Masters and Doctoral degrees in science.

Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Credit

Completion of the program will earn the participant 10 CEUs though Mississippi State University.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact , ATOMS^2XP Field Coordinator, via e-mail or phone at 662.325.1685 or , ATOMS^2XP Field Coordinator, via e-mail or phone at 662.325.8140.