Institute for School Partnership’s STEM District Immersion program helps students form a deep conceptual understanding to math that goes far beyond rote problem-solving. By posing real-world problems, students engage in high-level math discourse, explore multiple solutions and take intellectual risks. Read more at the Institute for School Partnership.
What’s New
ISP pilots science program in SLPS
Last summer, four organizations came together to launch a new program in 17 St. Louis Public elementary schools. The Institute for School Partnership (ISP), The Little Bit Foundation (TLBF), and St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS), with funding from the Bayer Fund, developed a pilot program to increase capacity for STEM teaching and learning in SLPS. The program is designed to remove barriers for teachers and provide access to high-quality, hands-on STEM education for St. Louis City students
Meeting the complexities of the times, together
Washington University wants to not only be “in St. Louis,” but “for St. Louis.” With that call to action, the university is taking its commitment to be a good partner in the region to another level.
Washington University’s College Prep Program welcomes eighth cohort
Washington University in St. Louis has admitted 47 rising high school sophomores to its innovative College Prep Program, a multiyear initiative that prepares high-achieving students with limited financial resources for college.
Class Acts: Theresa Matheus, Gateway Middle Science Teacher
Class Acts, Washington University’s annual celebration of outstanding graduates, spotlights Theresa Matheaus, science teacher at Gateway Middle School. Matheus earned her master’s in teaching and learning from University College and is part of the St. Louis Teacher Residency, an initiative to reduce teacher turnover and improve teacher quality in high-needs schools.
Institute for School Partnership finds new ways to be ‘in St. Louis, for St. Louis’
ISP has hired Nikki Doughty, head of school at City Academy and a regional leader in urban education, to serve as its first associate director of strategic initiatives. Doughty will support ISP’s work developing stronger educators, improving student outcomes and addressing educational inequalities.
Partnering with PBS: ISP and Nine Network work together to educate students amid pandemic
The Institute for School Partnership at Washington University in St. Louis has partnered with the St. Louis PBS station Nine Network (KETC/Channel 9) to create and produce on-air math and science classroom lessons through the “Teaching in Room 9” series.
Disrupt to Rebuild: TLI and SLPS redefining models of leadership and accountability
The Transformational Leadership Initiative has partnered with two Saint Louis Public elementary schools, Ashland and Meramec, to challenge traditional educational models of top-down leadership.
Building Pathways: U. City embraces distributed leadership
The School District of University City has taken a big leap in developing the next generation of transformational school leaders. Last summer, it named Jessica Hawkins and Deitra Colquitt co-principals of Pershing Elementary School. Both served as Teacher Instructional Leaders prior to their advancement. They credit the Transformational Leadership Initiative, a multi-year effort designed to […]
Check out STEM Challenges, fun activities for home
As we transition to distance learning, a consistent request from teachers has been for science activities that are engaging and not a set of “packets.” The Institute for School Partnership in collaboration with The Little Bit Foundation created these challenges with the goal of engaging students of all ages and their families in fun, interactive activities. Be sure to check back as we are frequently updating this page with more STEM Challenges.
WashU student leverages her experiences as both client and provider of disability resources to help local children
December graduate Dani Wilder is helping local students through the WashU Tutoring Initiative, a network of 130 K-12 student tutors who lead online lessons in math, science, languages and more for both typical learners and those with learning or physical disabilities.
St. Louis Teacher Residency helps teachers thrive in high-needs classrooms
WashU alumni partnered with their alma mater to improve teacher quality and retention. the program gives teachers the skills to support high-needs students and build effective lessons while deepening their own knowledge of the subjects they teach. Residents work at St. Louis Public Schools, KIPP: St. Louis and other schools.
ISP launches middle school COVID-19 curriculum
The Institute for School Partnership (ISP) at Washington University in St. Louis has launched a comprehensive COVID-19 curriculum. The free unit boasts both synchronous and asynchronous elements and helps students understand the history of infectious disease, the nature of COVID-19, the power and limitations of modeling and the importance of scientific literacy.
Catalysts for Change shares STEM with local high school girls
Seventy-two girls from 16 local high schools spent two Saturdays in February experiencing for themselves what it means to be a woman in STEM. Led by volunteers from the Department of Chemistry, Catalysts for Change (C4C) promotes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to girls in their first year of high school by engaging them in a number of […]
COVID-19 and Race: Educational Equity in a New Era
When COVID-19 forced schools to change how they facilitated learning, long-standing race and class divides in our educational systems became more distinct than ever. The Clark-Fox Policy Institute lead a discussion with Sharonica Hardin-Bartley, superintendent of University City School District; Terry Harris, executive director of student services at Rockwood School District; Sherita Love, founding director […]
Learning Lodge provides free virtual tutoring in era of COVID-19
The school year has ended, but Learning Lodge, an online tutoring service founded by Washington University in St. Louis students, continues to help local elementary and middle school students practice math, social studies, even the bassoon.
Washington University announces 2020 College Prep scholars
Washington University in St. Louis has admitted 50 rising high school sophomores to its innovative College Prep Program, a multiyear initiative that prepares high-achieving students with limited financial resources for college. Read more in The Source.
Pivoting & Partnering: ISP’s response to COVID-19
From creating a new COVID-19 curriculum for middle school students to providing free STEM activities and supplies for families, the Institute for School Partnership (ISP) at Washington University in St. Louis is working hard to guarantee children continue to learn during the COVID-19 crisis.
ISP and The Little Bit Foundation provide free STEM material
The Institute for School Partnership at Washington University in St. Louis wants to keep STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) learning going for the tens of thousands of homebound students in St. Louis City and St. Louis County by providing them with STEM classroom activities that they can do at home. The ISP has partnered with The Little Bit Foundation (TLBF) to develop and distribute STEM Challenges for students and families participating in school-based drive-thru meal service programs. Since 2018, ISP and TLBF have collaborated to offer project-based STEM learning to the classroom through its mySci Do programming.
WashU Expert: How to pick a science fair program
To the 80,000 parents — um, make that students — who will compete in the upcoming St. Louis Science Fair, Washington University in St. Louis senior Sam Martorana offers this advice: Follow your passion, not the rubric. Martorana serves as co-coordinator of K-12 Connections, which provides student volunteers to science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) nights at local schools and it hosts campus field trips ranging from tours of the University Libraries’ Declaration of Independence exhibit to programs on Greek gods with classics faculty to visits to the student-run Burning Kumquat garden.