The five-year Rhode Island Technology Enhanced Science (RITES) project is a major initiative funded by a grant from the NSF to the University of Rhode Island to improve secondary science learning throughout Rhode Island through the use of highly interactive technologies. Concord Consortium is a partner in this project, providing technical, curriculum, and management support. The project began in October 2008 and runs through September 2013. By then, all RI secondary science teachers will have had a chance to participate in the project and will have access to its online curricular materials.

The RITES partners

The RITES program is funded by a $12.5M grant from the NSF’s Math Science Partnership. It is designed to improve secondary science learning statewide over five years, starting in October 2008. In addition to the University of Rhode Island, the core partners are Rhode Island College, Johnston (RI) Public Schools, and the Rhode Island Department of Education. Supporting Partners include Brown University, the Community College of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, and the Concord Consortium. Project evaluation is provided by the Educational Alliance at Brown University.

RITES and Rhode Island schools

RITES will reach all 686 middle school and high school teachers and all 84K secondary students in Rhode Island with excellent, challenging, computer-based, standards-aligned science materials. Pairs of high schools and middle schools can join the program by application. Teachers in accepted districts can attend a two-year professional development program that introduces RITES materials, as well as related content and teaching strategies. The first cohort of 120 teachers from six districts started their professional development in the summer of 2009.

The RITES curricular materials

During the first three years of the project, teams of teachers, faculty, researchers, and instructional designers are creating curriculum materials in the form of “Investigations.” Each Investigation consists of computer-based materials that address one specific standard through guided inquiry using probes for laboratory investigations, computational models of virtual environments, and other software tools. The materials include embedded assessments that give students and teachers prompt and accurate data on student proficiency in each standard. Teachers will implement these materials, study their impact on students in their classrooms, customize the materials accordingly, and share their observations and adaptations in a RITES Online Community Portal. The first set of nine Investigations was developed during the first year of the project for use during the 2009-2010 academic year.

All software and materials are free for nonprofit educational use.

Contact us:

rites-investigations@concord.org
978-405-3217
The Concord Consortium
25 Love Lane
Concord, MA 01742