5-Teacher Content Knowledge
Tufts University Center for Engineering Education and Outreach held a week long Lego Engineering Educator Workshop during the summer of 2016 in Medford, Massachusetts. Tufts science and engineering faculty facilitated the workshop to discuss their current research while focusing on how teachers could implement similar projects into their classrooms. Breakout sessions allowed teachers to interact with Lego Ev3s and provided hands on projects that could easily be implemented into any classroom. Lego Robotics experts from all around the world also attended the workshop allowing teachers to network with experts who have used such technology in their classrooms with success. Teachers had the opportunity to sit down with Tufts engineering faculty as well as Lego Robotics experts to troubleshoot and brainstorm specific projects to develop a more comprehensive, standards based, means of incorporating Lego Robotics into classrooms.
PRHS has recently partnered with the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center (EHC). The Center’s mission is to transform the concepts of science and history into interactive, learn-by-doing experiences that will encourage a visitor’s natural curiousity and sense of wonder about themselves and the world around them.
“The Environmental and Heritage Center has enjoyed partnering with Peachtree Ridge High School as it works to enhance STEM instruction and application opportunities for its students. For the past several years, both the EHC and PRHS have collaborated and designed field study experiences for students that highlight key concepts in biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science.
Taking advantage of the unique EHC facility with its forest, streams, and Treetop Quest canopy exhibit, educators from both institutions have created real world science scenarios that enable a student to dig deeper in their understanding of forest succession, water quality testing, waste water treatment, and the physics concepts used to design a zip line or tree canopy challenge.
PRHS teachers have graciously served on the EHC Teacher Advisory Council and have provided valuable input in the design and implementation of program curriculum. PRHS teachers have also represented in the EHC’s Summer STEM Immersion Program and have enhanced their understanding of STEM instruction at the University of Texas Marine Science Center as well as the University of Georgia’s Costa Rica campus” - Jason West, EHC Partner
100% Advanced Placement teachers are College Board certified and regularly attend GA DOE Regional Advanced Placement Workshops, utilize on-line College Board content tools, etc.
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Additionally, the district provides targeted support for all beginning teachers who teach Advanced Placement Science classes. Our AP Chemistry teacher has worked closely with a master AP Chemistry teacher at another school for the last 3 years.