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Sweet Briar College

About the project

What is the purpose of the Science and Math by Inquiry program?

To increase opportunities for Central Virginia’s school children to utilize inquiry-based, hands-on learning in science and math, enabling them to learn more about modern science and its methods and exciting them about scientific investigation.

What is learning by inquiry?

Inquiry-based learning is active, hands-on learning. Students investigate scientific questions and implement the scientific method. They make hypotheses, collect data and analyze it, think critically about their results, and make conclusions. By interacting with real scientific problems, students gain a deeper understanding of fundamental scientific and mathematical concepts; by solving problems on their own, students are engaged by the subject matter and gain confidence in their abilities to solve problems.

How are teachers trained to teach by inquiry?

Sweet Briar College faculty offer summer courses and Saturday workshops. Courses and workshops focus on fundamental scientific concepts and relate to Virginia SOLs for grades 3-8. College professors guide teachers through hands-on and inquiry-based activities, fostering a deeper understanding of science while modeling teaching inquiry-based learning. Participating teachers learn activities that they can transfer directly to their classrooms.

We also offer a 3-credit graduate course, EDUC 656, “Inquiry Methods in Math and Science.” Teacher participants in this class attend workshops and class meetings, implement inquiry-based lessons in their classrooms, and submit reflective reports of these lessons.

Participation in courses and workshops is free and includes a stipend ($60/day) as well as the opportunity to earn graduate and recertification credit.

The program offers continuing support to participating teachers through the work of the Instructional Support Specialist (ISS), Arlene Vinion-Dubiel.

What does the Instructional Support Specialist (ISS) do?

Our Instructional Support Specialist, Arlene Vinion-Dubiel, provides support to participating teachers throughout the school year. She helps teachers implement inquiry-based learning in their classrooms by helping plan activities, answering conceptual and practical questions, and working alongside teachers in their classrooms. To encourage inquiry-based learning in the classroom, she provides non-consumable supplies and equipment, and she trains the teacher and students in its use.

To encourage continued teacher development in inquiry-based methods, Arlene creates classes and demonstrations for groups of teachers and regularly attends workshops to stay informed and in contact with participating teachers. She also makes available Sweet Briar College facilities, equipment, supplies, and 3000+ acres of campus.

Jessica Griffith, our co-ISS, helps teachers find and apply for grant money to support their projects: she helps plan the project, write the grant, prepare the budget, and implement the project.

Which school districts are served by the project?

Currently, our participating districts include: Amherst County, Appomattox County, Bedford County, Buckingham County, Campbell County, Nelson County, Charlottesville City, Lynchburg City, and Bedford City. Find a list of schools and contact administrators in each of these districts here.