Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Project Title
For a project involving Urban Advantage Denver to work with Denver Public Schools to support the implementation of Amplify Science in Middle Schools.
Date
Jun. 13, 2019
Duration
36 months
Description
In 2018 Colorado adopted new science standards based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Although Denver has adopted Amplify Science as its NGSS-aligned middle school curriculum, teachers need effective professional learning linked to the use of this high-quality instructional material. Urban Advantage Denver (UA Denver), a partnership between Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver Zoo, Denver Botanic Gardens, and Denver Public Schools, is providing high-quality professional learning for teachers and focused museum-based learning experiences for students. Through this renewal, UA Denver will: (a) offer professional learning for teachers and on-site school support to help the school district implement Amplify Science in middle schools; (b) offer school field trips, outreach programs, or virtual programs with the museum, zoo, or gardens for students, and (c) evaluate the project, and develop a business model featuring services that can be purchased based on each school’s needs.
Website
Project Title
For a project to relaunch Urban Advantage Denver with a new program design and budget model
Date
Jun. 01, 2017
Duration
24 months
Description
Urban Advantage Denver (UA Denver) is an innovative formal-informal partnership program in science education that builds on prior work, including an established Urban Advantage program in New York City, a five-year National Science Foundation-funded efficacy study of UA Denver, and a Corporation discretionary planning grant. The partnership includes three of Denver’s major informal science education institutions – Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS), Denver Zoo, and Denver Botanic Gardens – and Colorado’s largest and most diverse public school district, Denver Public Schools. The collaborating institutions have a six-year track record of successfully implementing UA Denver. Now, informed by a growing body of research on learning science in informal settings, education challenges specific to Colorado and Denver, and results of the efficacy study of the UA program and subsequent co-visioning process with the school district, the program is poised to launch a revised model to achieve even greater impact. This grant will support relaunching UA Denver with a new program design and budget model. Specifically, participating middle school science teachers will implement science and engineering practices in the context of phenomenon-driven pedagogy in classrooms, through field trips, and with outreach events to engage families and school leaders.
Website
Project Title
For a project to expand Urban Advantage Denver and develop a sustainable model
Date
Sep. 08, 2016
Duration
7 months
Description
Founded in 1900, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a leading source of informal education in science as well a leader in scientific research across numerous fields of study. Since 2010, the Museum, in collaboration with Denver Public Schools, Denver Zoo, and Denver Botanic Gardens, has engaged seventh grade students from low-income families and communities of color in science education through the Urban Advantage (UA) Denver program. Through UA Denver, the partner institutions support teacher professional development and hands-on, student-driven science investigations, that focus on enhancing the ability of teachers’ to provide quality science education; ensuring all students have opportunities to learn science process skills critical to college and career success; and connecting learning in schools with science experiences in informal settings. This grant supports the museum to undertake planning work with its partners to expand the program to serve all grades sixth through eighth and develop a sustainable implementation model.