The summer biology program is part of a larger teacher enhancement program which involves presenting workshops and programs throughout the academic year and developing curriculum for teachers. Ann Bauman, an elementary school teacher from Janesville, says she had only one introduction to science in college. In the three years she has attended the program, she has studied genetics, the social implications of genetics, science for head start, preschool and primary grades, and cultural diversity in families of children with special needs. In addition to her new knowledge of science, Bauman says she has learned to integrate science into the whole curriculum and make it more of a hands-on experience For high school teachers, Kessel says the biology program is designed to update them on the latest information in particular fields and give them some new ideas to make the classroom more exciting. Instructors for the biology classes come primarily from the science departments on the Madison campus.
Most modules also have lead teachers who help plan the class and assist the instructor.
Anstett, for example, helped to lead the DNA module this summer. UW Space Place brings space down to earth College of Letters and Science program offers hands-on learning for school children. Using a new videoconferencing system, the team of 30 Wisconsin scientists, engineers and technicians at the control center in Huntsville, Ala., communicated directly with school groups visiting the Space Place, explained the mission, answered questions and discussed what they saw in space. This workshop is just one of the many activities offered at the Space Place, located at 1605 S. Park St. in Madison, for school children and teachers who visit from around the state, including Green Bay, Milwaukee, Madison and its surrounding areas. Run by the Space Astronomy Laboratory by largely volunteer faculty and staff, the UW Space Place provides hands-on activities and informative lectures, as well as workshops and programs for more than 5,000 teachers, parents and children, and the general public in each of the past two years.