SALEM — Teacher Carolyn Townsend spent her summer roaming the Museum of Science in Boston, poring over the exhibits, meeting with museum staff and feverishly taking notes.
She was part of a teacher-in-residence program and worked on a project there called Engineering is Elementary that develops hands-on engineering curricula for students in grades one through five.
"It was very inspirational," said Townsend, a fifth-grade teacher at Witchcraft Heights Elementary School. "We had the opportunity to meet with anyone you felt you needed to meet. The whole atmosphere was amazing."
The museum selected Townsend from more than 100 teachers who applied for a total of eight positions in the program, which is in its second year.
"They're looking for teachers to integrate science into other subjects," Townsend said.
"Carolyn jumped in and tried to learn as much as she could about everything really," said Dipa Shah, curriculum research associate with Engineering is Elementary at the Museum of Science.
Shah said the teacher-in-residence program helps expose teachers to all of the museum's resources for education, and in turn, teachers share their insights with museum staff who develop educational programming.
Equipped with armsful of new binders and materials, Townsend said she is eager to use her experience and new lessons in the classroom and to share with other teachers in Salem.
"This will allow me to take things a step further with my students," said Townsend, a Salem resident who took the train into Boston during the five-week program.
Whether she's teaching her students about electricity or coordinate mapping, Townsend said the experience "truly has energized me and made me think differently about science and the need to be more innovative."
"Forever my teaching will be affected," she said.
Staff writer Amanda McGregor can be reached at amcgregor@salemnews.com.
Q&A with carolyn townsend
Where were you in the museum?
Everywhere. The museum was my classroom. I was wherever I felt I needed to be.
What was it like at the museum?
I met at least 20 different (staff) people, in addition to the people who were sponsoring the teachers-in-residence. If you had a question, they found a person who could give you an answer. They took us in, and we were so respected. It was so wonderful.
Your goal?
I wanted to bridge science, technology and math, which are the three things I really embrace.
One of your favorite exhibits?
There's one about Dean Kamen, who invented a robotic arm for amputees, and a wheelchair that actually climbs stairs ... and the Segway. ... I was so inspired by that whole section of the museum. He said he wasn't successful in school because he didn't want to leave a subject: He always wanted to learn more. And there are so many kids you have in class who are the same.
What are the challenges in teaching elementary science?
At the elementary level, what we're expected to know is so vast. From the ecosystem to electricity, the array is so big, and to many teachers, that's really overwhelming. ... (These materials) break science down into the simplest form.
What do you like about Engineering is Elementary?
It's all hands-on learning. It's very creative and innovative. Kids collaborate and learn to problem solve.
How does this tie into your job?
There is a push, at the state level even, for more integration: not having things be entirely separate subjects.
So how do you plan to integrate math into science?
(In the electric circuit unit I do with my students), I want the students to be able to prove mathematically why the light dims. ... We'll be using Ohm's Law, which is an algebraic expression. I'm really excited about bringing that back.
Why is all this important?
Design engineering is so hands-on and tangible. ... We're living in a world today that's all about innovation and advancements, and it's so critical to bring that to the kids.
Why?
If we expose kids to these types of experiences, they're realizing these are careers they might consider in the future.
Why did you choose teaching?
I'm a second career person actually. I used to be a computer consultant.
Why the switch?
When my daughter was in kindergarten, I volunteered at her school and I realized I had missed my calling. So I got my master's, and I started teaching in 1999: fifth grade at Witchcraft Heights.
Will you go back to the museum?
I was introduced to so many resources at the museum. They have an educator resource center where you can take out 30 books at a time. They even have free parking for teachers. Knowing what I know now about the museum, I will definitely be back.
Any related goals for the school year?
I'm working on an independent project. I want to bring back a design challenge exhibit to Salem. I have a whole vision of what it's going to be. I would love to create a museum-quality exhibit that will draw in kids and they're presented a problem to solve.
Closing thoughts?
To me, I feel like a door has been opened. I hope this inspires other teachers to apply.
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