President Obama recognizes MISE as model science education initiative

Merck, a global healthcare leader, announced today that the Merck Institute for Science Education (MISE) is being recognized by President Obama as being a model science education initiative at an event being held today at the White House.

“MISE is expanding the impact of its work to form a partnership with the largest school district in New Jersey”

The President's "Educate to Innovate" campaign is a nationwide effort focused on excellence in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. Today's White House event marks the kick off of "Change the Equation" (CTEq), a newly formed organization to mobilize corporate support for improved STEM education for all American students. Merck, a recent member of CTEq, will be represented at the White House by Richard T. Clark, chairman and chief executive officer of Merck, and Dr. Carlo Parravano, executive director of MISE.

"Merck has helped nurture scientific learning among young students for more than 18 years in New Jersey and Pennsylvania," Mr. Clark said. "We look forward to sharing our experience and demonstrated best practices to further the country's goal of advancing American students in STEM achievement over the next decade."

"Our success as a nation depends on strengthening America's role as the world's engine of discovery and innovation," said President Obama. "I applaud Merck and the MISE for lending their resources, expertise, and their enthusiasm to the task of strengthening America's leadership in the 21st century by improving education in science, technology, engineering and math."

Recognizing teachers as key to the learning process, MISE focuses on professional development programs that provide educators with research-based tools and strategies so they can improve all students' performance in science. A non-profit organization founded by Merck in 1993, MISE supports the capacity-building of partner school districts and the creation and sustainability of innovative classroom practices in science education.

As the 2010 school year begins, Newark Public Schools (NPS) joins MISE's partnership with school districts dedicated to science education reform from kindergarten through grade 12. The goals of the partnership are to raise the participation and performance of NPS students in science, make science education a priority and build district capacity to sustain and continuously improve science teaching and learning.

"Partnering with MISE provides our district educators with a unique opportunity to adapt their current practices to future opportunities and challenges in an increasing global market," said Dr. Clifford B. Janey, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. "How we engage as adults sets a gold standard for what we can expect from our students. We are proud and poised to model this partnership with MISE."

Strategic Five-Year Plan for MISE-Newark Partnership

Working together, MISE and NPS will develop a five-year strategic plan to establish benchmarks for progress. The partnership will work to align school district policies to support teaching and learning science, leverage resources to support improvements, develop and maintain a coherent science curriculum and provide professional development and on-site support for teachers of science. The expected outcome is that MISE will help to enhance the interest and aspirations among all NPS students for science learning.

Newark educators will participate in MISE's three-year Academy for Leadership in Science Instruction that brings together teachers, principals and administrators to strengthen their science classroom instruction and deepen their leadership fundamentals. Newark teachers will engage in other professional development initiatives, such as MISE's Peer Teacher Workshops, designed to increase content knowledge while preparing teachers to successfully engage in inquiry-based science instruction.

"MISE is expanding the impact of its work to form a partnership with the largest school district in New Jersey," Dr. Parravano said. "We are excited to work with Newark Public Schools and to work toward significant and sustained improvements in science teaching and learning on a large scale."

More than 6,000 educators have worked with MISE to improve science education since it's founding in 1993. Newark joins six other school districts in the partnership: Elizabeth, Hillside, Linden, Rahway and Readington Township in New Jersey, and North Penn in Pennsylvania.