About TIES
TIES was founded by Janice S. Morrison
and in association with Louis B. Rosenblatt as a firm devoted
to support for the teaching of science, technology, engineering
and mathematics for the Baltimore City Public School K-12
teachers. Funded both publicly and privately, TIES
worked over ten years in reform of STEM education in Baltimore
City Public Schools. In 2000, TIES was called upon by the
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation High School Reform Committee
to design and implement innovation high schools for Baltimore
City high school students and created The Baltimore Freedom
Academy now in its fourth year of operation as well as e-Power
High School which remains in design. Through work with the
National Science Foundation, Johns Hopkins University and
others, TIES has evolved into a national
consulting group focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics (STEM) Education throughout the country
and as high school reform as progressed. TIES is a founding
leader of SEEK-16, Strategies for Engineering Education
K-16 which works to identify exemplary means of delivering
engineering education K-16.
Most recently TIES has become the Senior STEM Consultant
for the Texas High School Project in the development and
now implementation of the T-STEM Initiative. TIES
has been integral in bringing 35 STEM Academies and 9 STEM
Centers to support those schools to fruition. This relationship
will continue for the duration of the T-STEM Initiative
as with TIES additionally helping to inform
other states seeking to replicate Texas’ successes.
TIES has been asked by the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation to create a Math Learning Tour for their
education staff as they seek to know more about the teaching
and learning of mathematics for low income children. This
five month project places TIES as the content
specialist responsible for the design of the Tour.
TIES currently serves as the Senior STEM
Consultants to the Program Directors at the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation. The Foundation is moving into work creating
STEM schools and infrastructures throughout their granting
areas. TIES provides the needed support
for this ambitious program.
Finally, TIES, along with the University
of Maryland and SEEK-16, is leading the creation of a Pre-AP
in Engineering with the College Board. Although in the proposal
phase, this program intends to bring 21st century STEM education
to secondary students throughout the country.
Objectives and Goals
In accordance with the National Science Education Standards
(National Academy of Science and the National Research Council),
TIES seeks to provide STEM teachers as well as any classroom
teachers charged with the teaching of science, a series
of professional development opportunities that improve the
quality of their teaching as demonstrated by student performance.
Develop and document a working model that demonstrates
- The significant value of public-non-public collaboration
and professional networking in improving STEM education;
- The potential benefits and practice of full and deliberate
inquiry-based STEM learning in the public schools ;
- The importance of connecting theory and practice in
teacher training activities, professional development,
which are both practitioner-based and student centered;
Contribute substantially to the significant improvement
of STEM education by
- Strengthening the reasoning and problem-solving skills
and enriching the understanding of science content and
method among city youngsters;
- Improving the understanding of science phenomena and
ability to reason for the science teachers and classroom
teachers required to teach science;
- Build increased capacity for teacher advancement by
supporting teacher leaders in the STEM disciplines while
contributing to the more widespread and effective use
of inquiry in science teaching practices;
- Improve STEM knowledge and appreciation among both teachers
and students in a concentrated and coordinated way in
Baltimore City Schools as well as other urban, low income
school districts and thereby effecting a change in the
culture of STEM education in these schools.
|
