The primary goal of IMPACTSEED is to bring the preparation of secondary education chemistry and physics teachers in alignment with state and national standards so that every student receives high quality instruction from knowledgeable, well-trained, and well-supported teachers. The project is intended to help teachers achieve a double aim:
     (a) to make physics and chemistry understandable and fun to learn within a hands-on, inquiry-oriented setting;
     (b) to overcome the fear-factor for physics and chemistry among students.
IMPACTSEED has five major components:
       (1) an intensive two-week summer professional development program;
       (2) five technology workshops during the academic year;
       (3) sustained, year-round on-site support to the teachers;
       (4) year-round physics and chemistry hotlines to offer immediate support to the teachers when needed;
       (5) a website to disseminate the results of the project and to list useful resources.
IMPACTSEED offers hands-on, inquiry-based instruction with a strong correlation to the Alabama Course of Study and national standards with primary emphasis on having students discover rather than memorize and with teachers questioning rather than telling.

Teachers that participated in the June 2008 Summer Professional Institute

Front row (L to R): Drs. L. Weinkauf, A. Nichols, N. Bekhouche, N. Zettili     Back row: Drs. S. Baird (UAB), T. Klimasowski, J. Conely (ACHE)