LINC and EiE® Museum of Science: A Transformational Partnership
by Renee Graham
Our team at LINC is thrilled to announce our partnership with EiE®, the Museum of Science, Boston. Together we developed a personalized, professional learning experience for educators that supports them in their learning, efficacy, and understanding of computer science instruction. The new EiE Computer Science Essentials Professional Development Library offers learning cycles steeped in the Model of Generative Change developed by Dr. Arnetha Ball (Stanford University). These cyles offer educators the opportunity to reflect, tinker, and grow as they develop their understanding of computer science instruction and transform their mindset and classroom practice. Through this asynchronous experience, educators engage in a personalized, online professional learning experience that stimulates and deepens educator readiness to teach EiE’s Computer Science Essentials curriculum.
When I learned that we would be partnering with the Museum of Science, Boston in late Spring of 2021, I was ecstatic and immediately threw my hat into the ring to work with the EiE Team! Having previously worked with the EiE Team several years ago, facilitating professional development for their original Engineering is Elementary®, Engineering Adventures® and Engineering Everywhere® curricula, I just knew we would be creating something BIG!
It’s been an amazing experience collaborating with the EiE team to transform their teacher professional development through LINCspring, our research-based platform that supports equitable, student-centered professional learning at scale across the globe. It has taken EiE PD to a new level, providing asynchronous learning for educators to engage in anywhere and at any time. Plus with the in-app coaching feature, educators can obtain timely answers to their questions, chat with a Coach, and communicate with their colleagues through the community feature.
I recently had the opportunity to interview Heather Gunsallus, VP STEM Products & Services, Museum of Science, Boston about our partnership and their new library.
Q: Tell us about EiE and what you do?
A: EiE® is the award-winning curricula division of the Museum of Science, Boston. Our mission is to create a generation of problem solvers. As Vice President of STEM Products & Services, I lead the team that creates and supports learning experiences that surprise, delight, and inspire lifelong learners.
Our programs encourage all children, including those from underrepresented and underserved groups, to envision themselves as STEM practitioners —scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists. Our learning resources are innovative, flexible, standards-aligned, and designed to meet the diverse needs of elementary educators and students.
Since its founding in 2003, EiE has grown to serve 1.3 million students annually in all 50 states and in countries worldwide.
Q: How do you support leaders, teachers, and students?
A: My team develops our PreK–8 STEM curricula with rigorous, research-based design principles, and we test our curricula in classrooms to ensure ease of use, alignment to core subjects, and connections to at-home learning. All of our curriculum units introduce students to the excitement of hands-on STEM learning through a real-world context. Our units engage students in science and engineering practices that are infused with 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, flexibility, and persistence.
We give teachers the tools to engage and inspire their students. Our Professional Development team works with educators to develop the skills and confidence they need to foster student-centered, inquiry-based learning in the classroom. Teachers enhance their knowledge of engineering, computer science, and other STEM topics as they prepare to implement EiE curricula and become STEM leaders in their classrooms.
Q: Why did you choose to partner with LINC?
A: There are several reasons why we chose LINC as a partner, with the primary being their team and leadership. LINC’s leadership and team embody the characteristics we look for in partners—passionate about education, high integrity, transparency, emphasis on research, and so much more. LINC’s Taxonomy of Generative Change aligns closely with EiE’s curriculum design principles. At the heart of our curriculum is the Engineering Design Process (EDP). This is the practical problem-solving approach students use to Ask questions about the problem, Imagine multiple solutions, make a Plan, Create their design, and Reflect in order to Improve. Students are encouraged to learn from their first iteration and think about what changes they might make.
LINCspring’s research-supported educational model of generativity is a natural fit for transforming our best-in-class professional development workshops into on-demand professional learning. It provides a virtual space for educators to connect, share best practices, and learn from one another. Plus, we can use data to capture educator needs, identify trends, and make real-time adaptations to content in order to increase the effectiveness of the courses for educators. Partnering with LINC helped us meet direct educator needs for flexible, on-demand learning opportunities that can supplement and work in tandem with the in-person professional development my team provides.
Q: Tell us about what you have created in LINCspring?
A: Last year we launched a new program for grades 1-5, Engineering and Computer Science Essentials™. Research shows a high degree of variability with respect to educator experience and confidence in teaching computer science, especially at the elementary grades.* To enhance elementary educator subject matter knowledge and experience with computer science (CS) content, my team created an eight cycle CS Library within LINCspring that provides a complete understanding of our Computer Science Essentials units. These cycles help educators understand the common organization and structure of the units, as well as the reasoning behind the curriculum design. By engaging in this learning, educators increase their familiarity with navigating the units and build awareness of the variety of supports available to them and their students.
Because many teachers engage in professional development over the summer when classes are not in session, the cycles do not assume teachers are actively implementing the plans they make in the Tinker stage or reflecting on classroom experience in Grow. Teachers are still expected to create detailed plans for implementation and consider what pieces of their plan they feel confident in and which pieces may require more work. After facilitating lessons in the unit, they can return to the Tinker and Grow areas of LINCspring to support ongoing growth and reflection.
Q: How can people access your PD in LINCspring?
A: Our Sales team works with schools and districts nationwide to implement our engineering and computer science programs and professional development. People can get information about our programs by contacting their regional sales manager or our customer support team via email at eie@mos.org or by calling (617) 589-0230.
Q: How would you describe the partnership experience with LINC?
A: Our partnership with LINC provided an amazing opportunity for us to learn from their experience and research. Their Transformation Coaches introduced us to the Model of Generative Change and supported us through every step of transforming our professional development content into LINCspring cycles. Together, we created learning modules that support the needs of educators implementing Computer Science Essentials with any time, anywhere PD.
The LINC team was there every step of the way, providing best practices, technical guidance, and a joyful, collegial experience throughout the project. Once the cycles were complete, the LINC team supported our sales team in learning how to talk about LINCspring and collaborated with our marketing team to make the launch at NSTA 2022 a huge success. And, this is only the beginning.
I can only sum this experience up as, well– transformational. The LINC/EiE, Museum of Science partnership certainly proved to be highly collaborative, focused on the educator experience, and a whole lot of fun along the way! Keep your eyes open for what may come next, I know I will!
*The Computer Science Teacher Landscape: Results of a Nationwide Survey, CSTA, May 2021
Heather Gunsallus
As VP, STEM Education at Museum of Science, Boston, I bring more than 20 years of experience building teams, developing partnerships, and designing and implementing e-learning and multimedia education solutions for diverse classrooms. My super power is bringing together foundations, corporations, school leaders, community organizations, and families to inspire all children to be confident STEM learners and to cultivate a future of STEM equity. Follow me on Twitter @wnhgunsallus
Renee Graham
Renee Graham is a LINCspring Manager supporting partners, administrators, and educators using LINCspring around the globe. Renee is a former elementary school teacher, Professional Development Specialist, R&D Manager, and Educational Product Manager with over 20 years of experience in education and staff development. Renee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Slippery Rock University and a Master of Science degree in Instructional Leadership from Robert Morris University.
