The Dartmouth-Montshire Institute for Science Education

Dartmouth College and the Montshire Museum of Science share a strong commitment to enhance the quality of science education in Vermont and New Hampshire. Scientists at the college, working in many different disciplines, are continuously developing research programs of broad significance. The Montshire is nationally recognized for its expertise in science education for teachers, students in grades kindergarten through 12, and Upper Valley citizens, with a special emphasis on the challenges inherent in providing science education in rural communities. The Dartmouth-Montshire Institute for Science Education recognizes the value of integrating the resources of these two leading institutions to better serve the educational needs of the bi-state region. Informal collaborations between the two institutions began in 1976. In 2002 Dartmouth provost Barry Scherr and Montshire director David Goudy announced a formal agreement to create the Institute. Activities of the Institute are directed by a governing committee composed of two representatives from each institution. The Institute: Provides a forum for discussions with local K-12 educators exploring how Institute programs might best serve their science education objectives; Provides a forum for discussions among interested Dartmouth and Montshire faculty and staff exploring strategies for broad community science education outreach; Coordinates the joint projects and initiatives of Dartmouth and the Montshire in a manner that ensures maximum cohesiveness, efficiency, and effectiveness; Provides a coordinated approach for the two institutions to seek funding for collaborative efforts, which serve the regional audience and develop educational models of national significance. Members of the governing body representing the two institutions are: Brian Chaboyer, Professor of Physics and Astronomy Dartmouth College Marcos Stafne, Director Montshire Museum of Science Gregory DeFrancis, Director of Education Montshire Museum of Science Mary Lou Guerinot, Professor of Biological Sciences Dartmouth College Brian Chaboyer Marcos Stafne Greg DeFrancis Mary Lou Guerinot   Current Projects Experimenting with Plants: Science Investigation Curriculum for Middle School Students     Project Archive Cascades: Programming in Rocketry Science College Students as Science Mentors in K-5 Classrooms Connecting Classrooms and Community with the Health Sciences Developing a Community Collaboration Model for Teaching Research-based Nutrition Units in Middle Schools Environmental Detectives Looking Inside Exhibit Research on Visitor Conversations as Indicators of Learning In Science Exhibitions Using Plants as Model Organisms - A Middle School Experimental Design Curriculum