small.gif (4129 bytes)      What is ASPIRE?

What is ASPIRE anyway?
ASPIRE answers the question that all teachers are now or will shortly be facing:

    "How do I effectively use the information highway and computing technology to provide my students with a unique, highly motivational and useful educational experience?"

What are the program's aims?

Training teachers to use Internet based investigative techniques so they can stimulate their student's interest in science, math and core subjects. The world is shrinking and information not even dreamed of is now available through the Internet. ASPIRE trains teachers to help their students learn how to tap in and be a part of this worldwide expansion of knowledge so they can become more excited, knowledgeable and capable of participating in the technology revolution that is going on. Learning becomes an exciting investigative experience, guided by the teacher and driven by the students interests.

How many teachers have been trained?

Since 1989 ASPIRE has trained over 1000 teachers and introduced hundreds of others to ASPIRE.

Who is using the ASPIRE approach?

Classes using ASPIRE techniques are being conducted in over 60 schools in the State of Alabama. Click here for the list of school locations.

Is the ASPIRE Approach Effective?

With hundreds of students getting actively involved in exploring the realms of computational science over the years, we believe that the ASPIRE program is indeed effective.

How does ASPIRE accomplish its goals?

    We Train Teachers!

    We conduct summer teacher training institutes which teach teachers how to teach an Internet based project development process that can be applied at almost all grade levels. ASPIRE prides itself on the quality and thoroughness of its training and the confidence that it brings teachers when they implement this new teaching paradigm. We normally conduct training at three levels.

    Level 1 Professional Development - Teaches Internet and general computer use, investigative techniques, data analysis and lesson plan development. Skills taught in this class could be applied in any grade or subject where a specific topic being taught could be enhanced by a project oriented, Internet based approach. Level 1 training is usually 2 days. Take a look at the materials for the Level I summer institute.

    Level 2 Professional Development- Expands what is taught in Level 1 to include additional topics which would facilitate teaching a more in-depth project oriented approach. These topics include: the use of software packages for math modeling, visualization, and data analysis; how to describe projects in terms of a technical report; and how to find and work with mentors. Level 2 training is usually one week in length. Skills learned in this course could be applied to any course, middle or high school, where investigative techniques could be used as a teaching mechanism. Take a look at the materials for the Level 2 summer institute.

    Level 3 Professional Development - This class provides instruction on all the topics taught in level 2, adding instruction in those areas which would facilitate in-depth scientific investigations. The additional material would cover the aspects of the scientific method, mathematical modeling, computer modeling and programming, advanced visualization tools, data analysis, and technical report writing. This class will prepare teachers to teach a year long investigative class in which students define a project, reduce that definition to a math model, derive a computer solution, and write up a technical paper describing the results. This approach often called "computational science" is a proven and effective approach for teaching mathematics and science and is best used in a stand alone two semester computational science class. Take a look at the materials for the Level 3 summer institute.

    We Support Teachers!

    Nine Regional Training Centers (RTC's) are located at schools throughout the state. These centers serve the teachers in their regions by helping them over difficulties they may encounter in applying computational science techniques. Each RTC is staffed with at least one master teacher who is available to answer questions, visit your school and help in what ever way you desire. Each RTC conducts fall and spring workshops where teachers get together and discuss how they can teach their topics better and to learn the latest techniques.

    All teachers in the ASPIRE program are electronically connected by a reflector which allows messages to be sent to all ASPIRE teachers in the state. This has proven to be an excellent way to get an answer to a technical problem that others may have previously encountered. Be a part the reflector for this school year and experience the support that teachers receive.

    The ASPIRE project office, located in the Computer Science Department in Technology Hall at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, provides additional people with computer networking and software experience and is where the project coordinator, Edna Gentry, gentrye@aspire.cs.uah.edu, and project Director, Dr. Carl Davis, are located. Feel free to contact them for additional information. They regularly visit schools and administrators and can add their experience in solving problems or help you in introducing ASPIRE to your school or district. The project assistant, Betty Nelson, will also be able to answer questions concerning project activities. Feel free to contact any of the ASPIRE staff by phone or e-mail.

ASPIRE Provides an Annual Forum for Information Exchange

The annual statewide Computational Science EXPO provides a location where students can display their work, interact with other students and be reinforced by receiving prizes for their activities. The EXPO has proven to be a good motivator for students to complete and "show off" their work. UAH scholarships and prizes are given in a variety of categories.

How do I Participate in the ASPIRE Program?

ASPIRE training is free! The program is funded by the funds from the department of Education's Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program which is administered by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Energy's Adventures in Supercomputing Program.* Teachers participating in the summer Institutes must pay their own travel and per diem costs.

ASPIRE requires a commitment from each participating school that they will implement these techniques in their curriculum. Principal and Superintendent's signatures are required on the applications to confirm their willingness to schedule the required classes.

Application forms are on-line and can be submitted electronically.

Summer Training Schedules