Indianapolis, Indiana – Science teachers from across Indiana are getting new inspiration and tools to help them improve the way they teach thanks to the efforts of Indiana University researchers. Through professional development programs offered by IU’s P12 Engagement team, educators are learning how to design stronger, more engaging science lessons that tie directly to real-world applications and the latest scientific discoveries. These efforts are already having an impact in classrooms as teachers reimagine how to deliver subjects like biology and environmental science to their students.
The P12 Engagement team operates within the IU School of Education in Bloomington. It runs six programs, with two of them—Medical Research Education Project and Educating for Environmental Change—hosting special weeklong summer institutes this year. These summer sessions give teachers hands-on experience and access to university researchers who are leaders in their fields. In turn, teachers bring those lessons back to their schools with fresh energy and new ideas.
One teacher who has returned to the program for a second year is Billie Carlton, a middle school science teacher at Danville Community Middle School. Last summer, Carlton attended her first Medical Research Education Project institute and came away with new strategies for teaching the seventh-grade science standards about human anatomy and cells. This year, as she prepares to teach eighth grade, she signed up again to help shape her upcoming lesson plans.
The Medical Research Education Project is funded by the National Cancer Institute and is part of the broader Educational Pathways in Cancer Research Program. This initiative brings together the IU School of Education and the IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, which happens to be Indiana’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. Through this partnership, teachers like Carlton learn how to introduce middle and high school students to medical research by working directly with researchers who are actively involved in advancing cancer science. IU is home to the world’s only healthy breast tissue biobank, adding even more value to the experience.
Read also: Fort Wayne Powerball ticket holder wins $50,000 in Wednesday’s drawing
“When it comes to science lessons, some students wonder why it is important to learn about something,” Carlton said. “But after spending time with IU researchers and hearing how different scientific applications help with diagnostics, therapeutics and understanding cancer biology, I could tell my students how it’s used in labs. All the things that we’re doing in class are used in these labs to figure out how to treat cancer and save lives.”
This summer, Carlton and 10 other teachers toured IU’s Flow Cytometry Core and Center for Proteome Analysis. They learned about career opportunities in biomedical engineering and medical research. They even participated in creative educational activities like medical vocabulary Jenga, which they can adapt for use in their classrooms. Following the in-person institute, the teachers collaborate virtually throughout the summer to develop detailed lesson plans covering topics like cancer biology, environmental health, biomedical engineering and medical communication through games.
“When we ask students about big scientific problems they would like to solve, they often talk about cancer,” said Lori Baker, another teacher from Danville Community Middle School. “They want to live longer and healthier lives. They also want to be safe from natural disasters and be proactive about environmental issues. Verbalizing their aspirations connects the skills we impart to problem-solving, which has made a big impact on student involvement.”
Both Carlton and Baker also took part in another IU School of Education initiative, Educating for Environmental Change. This program provides professional development throughout the year focused on environmental science education. Adam Scribner, IU’s Director of STEM Education Initiatives, leads this effort while also supporting programs like the Medical Research Education Project. During the school year, Scribner organized the first IU K12 Student Geoengineering Summit, which was a hit with students from Carlton’s and Baker’s classes.
“That was our students’ favorite field trip,” Carlton said. “They had all of these wild ideas about how to solve problems and developed their own engineering standards, which was really powerful.”
Abigail Brim, a teacher from Grandview Elementary School in Monroe County, also took part in the Educating for Environmental Change program. Brim teaches fourth- to sixth-grade students with special needs, including autism and other learning disabilities. She was encouraged to join the program by fellow teachers who spoke highly of the hands-on learning and practical resources it offers.
“Many of my kids struggle in a traditional classroom setting,” Brim said. “They are much more engaged in hands-on activities that relate to their life outside of school. My hope is the lessons will inspire them to see themselves in a position to impact their communities, the country and the world.”
Brim specifically wanted to strengthen her teaching of climate science, especially since her fifth-grade students participate in an annual trip to Bradford Woods. The Educating for Environmental Change summer institute provided her with exactly the kind of experience she was looking for. Over the course of the week, Brim and 22 other teachers from Indiana and beyond worked alongside IU experts in fields like geology, nuclear physics, chemistry and engineering. They engaged in activities such as collecting soil samples, studying bedrock and examining land formations—hands-on experiences that connected science to the world around them.
Read also: Marion High School to offer free athletic physicals for all student athletes on July 30
The teachers also toured IU’s Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and learned about tools like the seismograph. Brim said these experiences inspired her to create a new lesson plan focused on local water quality and how it can impact the health of people living in the community.
“I had some misconceptions in the field of environmental science that I never would’ve known if I hadn’t done this training,” Brim said. “I made meaningful professional connections with IU faculty, and I’m grateful to know I can reach out to them for support or to enrich my students’ learning through guest lessons or lectures.”
These professional development efforts reflect IU’s broader commitment to supporting teachers and advancing science education. Programs like these are made possible, in part, through contributions from generous donors. Supporters interested in helping can make a gift to the School of Education Opportunity Fund, which allows IU to continue offering innovative programs that prepare teachers to inspire the next generation of scientists.
By giving teachers access to resources, hands-on experiences, and connections to real-world science, Indiana University is helping transform science education across the state. The long-term impact will not only benefit teachers and their students but also contribute to a greater understanding of science in local communities and beyond.
