Great Explorations in Math and Science (GEMS)
The GEMS Center at Florida State University is part of a network of GEMS centers. GEMS units are activity-based science and mathematics curricula developed at the University of California by Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science. These curriculum units involve students in the practices of science and incorporate crosscutting connections in science instruction.
Through our GEMS Center, professional development experiences are offered for K-8 teachers to enhance the teaching and learning of science in the classroom. As well, our GEMS Center director supports classroom teachers through classroom outreach to help them engage their students in GEMS activities.
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| GEMS Classroom Outreach |
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Our GEMS center is dedicated to providing assistance to teachers interested in implementing GEMS guides in their classrooms. Visits are custom designed with teachers to help them engage and explore science learning with their students. All GEMS guides are standards based, engaging students in the practices of science and crosscutting science concepts. Prior to sceheduling a visit, teachers should begin by familiarizing themselves with the GEMS units (called guides by the GEMS organization) found on the national GEMS site or contact us to customize lessons to meet their specific needs. |
| To request (GEMS Classroom Request) assistance, enter the information at this link. Requests are prioritized based on a number of factors that may include date and activity availability, demonstrated need, participation history, and program capacity. To be eligible, you must have a completed, up-to-date "Classroom Visit Agreement" form on file with us within one week of your request. Please contact us directly for other inquiries. |
| GEMS Professional Development |
| We offer a wide range of professional development oppurtuinities including county-wide and single-school workshops, cooperative teaching, model teaching, and curriculum planning. Workshops can vary in length from 3 hours to 3 days depending on the needs of the group. Individuals may also join workshops that are already scheduled on a "space available" basis. All GEMS workshops introduce teachers to GEMS curricular units through experiencing the units and then unpacking the instructional methodologies that underpin them. For K-8 grade teachers, GEMS workshops provide a good foundation for further development of teaching practices that support the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and the national Next Generation Science Standards. |
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