Wipro Science Education

Wipro is an international information technology company that is based in India serving more than 61 countries. Because of their extensive work in the United States, they sought to fund science education innovation projects here. Dr. Arthur Eisenkraft of the University of Massachusetts originally earned their funding to run the SEF in a one-year program with Boston teachers. It has now grown to a two-year program in three states.

The SEF supports three cohorts of 20 science teacher fellows from five local districts during a two-year fellowship that focuses on leadership in science education. Districts who will participate in the five-year initiative are: East Ramapo Central School District, City School District of New Rochelle, Port Chester-Rye United Free School District, Public Schools of the Tarrytowns and White Plains Central School District. Districts were selected through an application process and will remain partners through the five years. Coordinators from each district work closely with grant directors.

The goal is to keep good teachers in the classroom and develop their leadership skills in the classroom as opposed to putting them in administrative roles. Major tenets of the professional development include vertical and horizontal articulation across districts and lesson observation and study. In year two, each fellow will lead professional development in their own district and work on a district-wide initiative of his or her choosing. This program has met success in its implementation thus far in Massachusetts and New Jersey.