Academy for Educational Development

"Reaching Science and Special Education Teachers" will advance knowledge across the fields of science and special education. Through a unique combination of on-line and in-person professional seminars, it will bring information about the needs and capabilities of students with disabilities to science educators, and information about the importance of science to special educators.

The seminars will build on Playtime is Science, an NSF-funded standards-based activity program that has been proven to broaden science knowledge, as well as foster teamwork among students with and without disabilities. Playtime is Science encourages students to explore and experiment, increases sensory explo ration, and has a focus on parent involvement. 

The goal of the project is to enable students with disabilities in grades K-4 to fully participate in science, learn skill-building activities, and gain a positive attitude about science that may influence later school and career choices.

A series of four web-based seminars will be developed and conducted in collaboration with the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). A three-hour short course, " Including Students with Disabilities in Science Inquiry," will be offered in collaboration with Science Education for Students with Disabilities (SESD) at the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Convention.