ChemCAL

The online application for the next cohort of ChemCAL is now available! Cohort #3 will begin summer 2009.
  

Minnesota High School Science Teachers:
Please read the following information before completing the online application at the bottom of this page.

An Introduction to the ChemCAL Project

The ChemCAL Project (Chemistry Coursework for Additional Licensure) is a licensure program for Minnesota science teachers who are interested in teaching high school chemistry. This program directly addresses the urgent need in Minnesota to bring science teachers to “highly-qualified” status by providing a no-cost coursework pathway to chemistry licensure.

This program is funded through the Math and Science Partnership Program for Minnesota, NCLB, Title II, Part B, as part of Hamline University’s MnSTEP grant (Minnesota Science Teachers Education Project), and is administered by the Minnesota Department of Education. The grant was submitted by the Hamline University School of Education through its Center for Global Environmental Education (CGEE), in partnership with the Minnesota Science Teachers Association (MnSTA), the American Chemical Society – Minnesota Chapter, high-need school districts from throughout the state, and with generous support from the 3M Foundation.

ChemCAL will involve 20 teachers for cohort #3 in an intensive 10-day, graduate-level, multi-topic inorganic chemistry course at Hamline University June 15-19 & 22-26, 2009; a combination mentorship, practicum, project, and online program during the school year; and a final 10-day organic chemistry course during summer 2010. Upon completion of this one-year program and passage of the chemistry Praxis II test, teachers will be certified by Hamline University as having met the Minnesota teaching standards for 9-12 chemistry licensure.

ChemCAL participants will experience and learn high-level chemistry concepts within a focused, inquiry-based environment of fellow teachers, peer instructors, master teachers and scientists; design effective teaching approaches for their classrooms; and align their curricula and teaching to meet the Minnesota Academic Science Standards in high school chemistry.

ChemCAL is based on the Minnesota BOT teaching standards for 9-12 chemistry. The summer courses will be condensing key concepts and skills from a variety of college-level chemistry courses into one two-week period. It is fast-paced, math-intensive, challenging academic work. Come prepared to study very hard.

As a participant in the ChemCAL Project, teachers receive:

• 13 graduate credits in chemistry (4 credits each summer, 2 credits for each online course in fall and spring, and a 1 credit practicum).

• participation in an e-mail network of chemistry teachers from throughout Minnesota

• accreditation consultation and licensure paperwork from Hamline University

• breakfast/lunch each day of the summer session (and dinner for those staying on campus)

• room and board at Hamline University for the summer session (if needed)

• $500 stipend, some great resources, and 

• 9-12 chemistry licensure upon completion of the state Praxis II test.  

All credit costs, registration and consultation fees, as well as class resources, meals, and on-campus housing are covered by the grant***. You are responsible for transportation and any licensing fees from the state.

***The current MnSTEP grant expires December 31, 2009. We will seek re-funding and most likely will not be notified if approved until fall-winter 2009-10. There is no guarantee that additional funding will be available for ChemCAL beginning January 2010. In the event a continuation of the grant (or new grant) is not available, we will still continue the program until cohort #3 has completed the ChemCAL requirements. However, participants may be charged tuition and/or any related fees for the remaining coursework.*** 

In order to apply for the ChemCAL Project, you must:

• hold a current Minnesota 9-12 or 7-12 Science Teaching License. Applicants with a 5-8 Science Teaching License will also be considered. (ChemCAL is an additional licensure program. Secondary Science Methods is not addressed in this project.)

• have completed at least one year of college- or graduate-level general chemistry and at least one semester of organic chemistry (ChemCAL is NOT an introductory chemistry course. It is designed to quickly review basics and directly address the high school chemistry teaching standards not covered in an introductory course. A copy of your college transcripts will be requested.)

• be teaching chemistry OR be willing to find access to an active high school chemistry class (This is needed in order for you to present a chemistry lesson to students and to collect data on student achievement.)

• be willing to work very hard (ChemCAL is rigorous and fast-paced. This is high-level chemistry and is very math intensive.)

• commit to completing the full project – two weeks June 15-19 & 22-26, 2009, online programs during the school year, AND two weeks the second summer. 

Selection of ChemCAL cohort #3 to begin Summer 2009 will be based on the above criteria, the number of years teaching chemistry out-of-license, expressed need, and geographic distribution. Teachers from “partner schools” need to complete the ChemCAL application. Please note: This is a competitive application process. Participants will be selected based on need and commitment.

If there are spots available, licensed chemistry teachers may also participate. This 12-credit program (no credit needed for practicum) will allow existing chemistry teachers to gain a deeper understanding of the topics they teach. If you are already licensed and would like to participate, please complete the online application.


To apply, click on the link below. If this is your first 2009 MnSTEP application, click on the "First time user account creation" link to create a Login ID and PIN. This ID and PIN will only be used during the application process. However, I encourage you to write down the ID and PIN should you decide to return to your application later or to apply to a second MnSTEP institute this summer. The application Login ID and PIN is NOT the same as (if you already have them set up) your official Hamline ID number and Piperline PIN.

ChemCAL Application - begins June 15-19 & 22-26, 2009

***ChemCAL Cohort #3 is FULL. Thank you for your interest.***