ABOUT TERRIFIC SCIENCE

A Special Announcement:
Director to Retire in 2009

Welcome from Mickey Sarquis, Director

In 1982, we rolled up our sleeves and began impacting local K-12 science education with a small grant from Miami University and private contributions, which funded a community-based initiative to improve science instruction in area elementary schools. In 1986, we began to have statewide impact when our efforts were funded by the Ohio Board of Regents. At this point, with multiple initiatives underway to reach teachers, students, and industry, these efforts became known as Terrific Science Programs and grew to a level where the work was supported by a core of dedicated science educators and administrative staff collaborating with leaders in education and industry across the region.

Now in the 21st century, more than $15 million in grants and the collaboration of more than 250 industry, professional society, and college and university partners have enabled us to reach teachers in every Ohio county and in every state in the U.S. Our work led the University to designate Terrific Science Programs as an official University Center in 1993. Under this Center for Chemistry Education (CCE) designation, we continue to impact science education nationally at the kindergarten through college levels with our programming for teachers and students, teacher resource books, and a strong world wide web presence.

CCE has directly reached more than 21,500 of our nation’s classroom teachers in graduate credit courses and outreach efforts, providing them with the content knowledge, experience, confidence, and support they need to bring quality standards-based science instruction to their classes. These teachers capture the science curiosity of more than 1 million students in their classrooms each year. CCE program evaluation consistently shows significant improvement in teacher and student learning and attitudes toward science. Some of the most popular offerings have focused on connecting science teaching with workplace and industrial applications, teaching science with toys, and pairing science activities with relevant children’s literature. CCE has taught thousands of teachers and industry scientists to conduct “Family Science” events that involve families in their children’s enthusiasm and curiosity for science.

CCE programming enhances science inquiry at every level, from preschoolers exploring Squishy, Squashy Sponges to college students learning to work safely in the lab, and has been recognized as a “Program that Works” (National Science Foundation Project Kaleidoscope), “Recommended Model Program” (Chemical Manufacturers Association), and “State Model Program” (Eisenhower Mathematics & Science Education Program). CCE has published more than 60 nationally distributed instructional resources through its Terrific Science Press, including teacher resource books, hands-on science kits (our What a Gas! Instant Science Kit received a Parent’s Choice Recommended Award), and interactive CDs—all receiving excellent published reviews.

In 2006, CCE reached more than 2,000 teachers who will impact an estimated 27,000 students annually in their classrooms. We published six resource books and two peer-reviewed journal articles. Our staff reached out to educators and the general public through 50 presentations at professional meetings and informal education efforts that reached thousands of kids, parents, and families. I invite you to read about these efforts in our annual reports.

Mickey Sarquis

Mickey Sarquis
Director

2007 CCE Report
2006 CCE Report
2004-2005 CCE Report
2002-2003 CCE Report
2001 CCE Report
2000 CCE Report

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Graduate Studies Information

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Selected Journal Articles and Research Reports

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Employment Opportunities

FACULTY POSITION IN CHEMICAL EDUCATION.  Miami University, Middletown Campus, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry invites applicants with a doctorate in Chemistry or related area to apply for a tenured Associate Professor or Full Professor position starting August 2008. 

Miami University (OH) seeks an experienced chemical educator with established credibility in the national and international science education community to serve as the next Director of its Center for Chemistry Education (CCE). This individual will possess the vision and demonstrated leadership skills to lead the CCE and will also contribute to the teaching mission of the University. The Director should have a distinguished record of accomplishments in teaching and scholarship commensurate with tenure at the associate or full professor level in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

For 25 years, CCE through its Terrific Science Programs has been a leader in physical science education at the kindergarten through college levels. Grant funding from agencies including National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, and National Institutes of Health has allowed CCE to reach more than 21,000 teachers representing every state in the U.S. Programming areas can be viewed at www.terrificscience.org. Through CCE's Terrific Science Press, more than 80 educational resources have been published and distributed nationally and internationally. These award-winning resources, including the renowned Teaching Science with TOYS series, can be viewed at www.tsbkm.com. 

CCE's mission of bringing chemistry and the companion STEM disciplines to life for all students continues to be met today by its 15-member staff, including recognized leaders in education and publishing, who are engaged in a rich variety of teacher professional development programs and materials development initiatives. Efforts focus on creating, developing, and nurturing research, programming, and curricular development to achieve its mission.

The next Director of  the CCE will guide the organization in developing research-based educational resources in print and other formats, supporting the sustainable implementation of research-based professional development, and conducting research on the impact of programming and materials on student learning and teacher effectiveness. The new Director will enhance the visibility of CCE programs and open new opportunities to its products and services through partnerships with other education stakeholders. The new Director will provide the business leadership to ensure the solid fiscal management and strong financial support of the organization. Administrative experience in the leadership of large-scale grant funded projects is required as is experience in bringing together other leaders in education to accomplish goals.

Qualified persons should (1) submit a vita and a vision statement for the Center for Chemistry Education, and (2) names of 3 references to the Chemical Education Search Committee, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056. References will not be contacted without permission of the candidate.  Review of complete applications will begin March 20, 2008.  The search will continue until the position is filled.  More information concerning the Department and this position can be found on the web at www.terrificscience.org and www.cas.muohio.edu/chm/.

For more information, contact the Chair of the Search Committee:

Professor Gary A. Lorigan
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Miami University
Oxford, OH 45056
(513) 529-3338
garylorigan@muohio.edu

Miami is an EOE/AA employer. Campus Crime and Safety Report is available at –
www.muohio.edu/righttoknow. A hard copy is available upon request.

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Contact Information

e-mail: info@terrificscience.org

Mail:
Center for Chemistry Education
Miami University Middletown
4200 East University Blvd.
Middletown, OH 45042

URL: http://www.terrificscience.org

Driving Directions

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