The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy is a one-week all-expense-paid intensive professional development program for third- through fifth-grade teachers. The Academy offers a five-day program designed to provide third- through fifth-grade teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to motivate students to pursue careers in science and math.
Phil and Amy Mickelson partnered with ExxonMobil to develop the Academy in conjunction with the National Science Teachers Association and Math Solutions. The Mickelsons wanted to develop a program that inspires teachers from across the country in math and science and equips them with interactive teaching tools to ignite their students' passion for these subjects. They also wanted to develop a program that helps to develop the next generation of science savvy citizens who will grow up to make the next breakthrough in medicine, in energy, or in any of the growing number of fields that require a solid foundation in math and science.
Two of the nation's leading teacher-training organizations, Math Solutions Professional Development, founded by Marilyn Burns, and the National Science Teachers Association, design the curriculum, provide instructors and manage the daily activities and logistics of the Academy.
Questions and Answers
Q: What is the mission of the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy?
A: The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy for grades 3–5 teachers is dedicated to increasing students' learning and appreciation of math and science by:
- enhancing teachers' mathematics and science content knowledge;
- demonstrating the interrelationships between scientific inquiry and mathematical problem solving;
- helping teachers use the tools of mathematics to build understanding and connections to science concepts; and
- modeling "best practices" in teaching and learning for teachers to use in their classrooms.
A: The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy aims to:
- deepen teachers' understanding of mathematics and science content in the areas of : data and statistics, measurement, force and motion;
- build expertise in facilitating student learning through problem solving and inquiry;
- use links between math and science to support student learning;
- understand how children learn and apply that to classroom instruction;
- build teachers' knowledge base and use of instructional resources to support students' learning; and
- network with others involved in third-through-fifth grade mathematics and science education
A: The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy occurs in the summer, usually in late July. As the dates are finalized, the information will be posted to this site. Please check back for the 2009 dates soon.
Q: Where is the 2009 Academy located?
A: The 2009 Academy will take place at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ. The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy pays for travel, lodging, food and all other related expenses.
Q: How can I apply for the 2009 Academy?
A: The applications are closed for 2009. We'll be posting information soon for the 2010 Academy.
Q: Who is eligible to apply for a chance to attend the 2009 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy?
A: Third- through fifth-grade teachers from accredited schools in the contiguous United States are eligible to apply. Immediate family members of the National Science Teachers Association, Math Solutions, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, ExxonMobil and its subsidiaries are not eligible to participate.
Q: How will the 100 teachers be selected for the 2009 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy?
A: A panel of teachers from the National Science Teachers Association and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) will review the applications received. After reviewing the applications, the panel will select the 100 teachers.
Q: How will I find out if I have been selected for the 2009 Academy?
A: You will receive notification directly from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics by mid-February 2009.
Q: Who are the instructors at the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy?
A: The instructors are educators with years of experience from Math Solutions and the National Science Teachers Association. They share a common commitment to helping teachers make the transition to an inquiry and problem solving approach to teaching mathematics and science.
Q: How is the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy curriculum designed?
A: The week has been designed so that science is the content driver, and mathematics is the tool for learning the science. We used current math and science standards to define grade appropriate content for the week:
- Science concepts — Motion and Forces, Action/Reaction, Newton's Second and Third Laws
- The mathematics topics are chosen because they support the science content — graphing on a coordinate plane, linear growth, measurement, estimation, and data collection
A: The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy launched in 2005. Since 2005, more than 1,000 United States teachers have attended the Academy.
Timeline for the 2009 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy Selection Process
- Application for the 2009 Academy are due by October 31, 2008
- Evaluations by the National Science Teachers Association and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics will occur between October 31, 2008 and February 2009
- Selected teachers will be notified by the National Science Teachers Association and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics mid-February 2009
copyright © 2008 NSTA
