Medtronic Foundation, Saint Paul Public Schools partnership brings science to life in classrooms

Medtronic Foundation, Saint Paul Public Schools partnership brings science to life in classrooms
9/13/2004 10:35 AM

The Medtronic Foundation has invested more than $1 million in Saint Paul Public Schools science programs. The support has improved science instruction in classrooms throughout Saint Paul.

Saint Paul Public Schools has received a $511,620 grant from The Medtronic Foundation to improve student achievement and teacher development in science education at elementary schools throughout the district. This grant is an expansion of the Medtronic Foundation's previous support of science education in the Saint Paul Public Schools. With the addition of this grant, the Medtronic Foundation has now invested more than $1 million in the school district's science programs.

The four-year grant will fund Catalyst, a new professional development program that brings elementary teachers and scientists together in and out of the classroom. Through the partnership, the school district hopes to increase teachers' science knowledge and investigation skills, improve classroom instruction skills amongst teachers and engage students in rigorous science experiments.

According to Saint Paul Public Schools Superintendent Patricia Harvey, the grant from The Medtronic Foundation is critical to the district's ongoing efforts to improve its science education program, which is one of the strategic goals of the "2002-2005 Saint Paul Public Schools Action Plan."

"Catalyst is the next major step in our ongoing reform efforts," said Harvey. "We are tremendously appreciative of The Medtronic Foundation's commitment to science education

Thanks to The Medtronic Foundation, Saint Paul teachers and their students will learn from scientists--in and out of their classrooms.

and the opportunities they provide to our students."

The Catalyst program is comprised of three major initiatives:

-Align school district science curriculum with the new Minnesota State Science Standards and adopt new science kits, including classroom materials, at the K-6 level;

-Provide elementary teachers with intensive professional development that will include collaboration with scientists in and out of classrooms, summer institutes and school-based teacher study groups;

-Build ongoing support for teachers in classrooms through Catalyst science associates, who are not employed by the school district but receive stipends for refurbishing, inventorying, preparing and managing classroom science kits.

Over the course of the program, more than 700 teachers from all of the district's 48 elementary schools and 100 scientists will be involved in Catalyst.

"Science is becoming an increasingly important part of our everyday lives - and Medtronic believes all children should have the opportunity to gain a good understanding of key science concepts, no matter what careers they may choose," said Penny Hunt, Vice President of Community Affairs and Executive Director of the Medtronic Foundation. "We commend the Saint Paul Public Schools for committing the resources to revitalize science education and are pleased to support them in their efforts to build a top-notch science curriculum for its students."