The Intensive Immersion Institutes (I3) in mathematics and science provide deep content, sustained and coherent programs, and involvement of mathematicians and scientists.
By engaging teachers in intensive immersion experiences that are authentic to the subjects and relevant to the classroom, they foster essential habits of mind, make deep conceptual connections, and therefore enrich their mathematical and scientific dispositions and their relationship with the subjects they teach.
These courses reached more than 1,000 course participants in K-12. The teachers and administrators involved in the I3 programs have made significant achievements. They have demonstrated consistent and significant content gains as measured by the pre- and post- tests. They have formed school-based mathematics peer-learning groups spontaneously. They run “grass-roots” I3 Conferences for fellow teachers. Many have taken and passed the Massachusetts Test of Education License( MTEL). They presented their work at NCTM and ATMNE Conferences. Most of all, they have induced desirable changes in the culture of learning in many schools and districts. Individual teachers have (re)ignited their passion for learning and teaching mathematics!
An ongoing study of the impact of Intensive Immersion Institutes on student performance indicated certain interesting pattern. It is premature to draw conclusions on the correlation and causality based on the far-from-ideal research design.
The Intensive Immersion Institutes (I3) was listed as one of the models in a CCSSO report in 2008: Does teacher professional development have effects on teaching and learning.
See also: Tackling the STEM crisis: Five steps your state can take to improve the quality and quantity of its K–12 math and science teachers. The EduTron Intensive Immersion Institute is highlighted as exemplary PD. (NCTQ, 2009)
The Intensive Immersion Institute Courses are supported by grants from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The science courses are partially supported by a Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.
