OVERVIEW:

• Quality Talk is an approach to conducting classroom discussions that promotes students’ high-level comprehension and critical-analytic thinking about text and content. Specifically, Quality Talk Science (QTs) is the science-focused branch of the overall approach to discourse that is Quality Talk.
• The aim of QTs is to improve science teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge while also fostering students’ learning in high school chemistry and physics in alignment with 21^st-century STEM education.
• Please see their website for contact information and other details:http://www.qualitytalk.psu.edu/

KEY EVENTS/PROGRAMS/SERVICES:

• Quality Talk Science is hosting a professional development workshop for middle and high school science teachers entitled, Quality Talk in Science – How to Make Critical-Analytic Thinking Happen in Your Classroom on Friday, June 16, 2017 at the Penn Stater. Registration is available on line at qualitytalk.psu.edu
• Quality Talk Science provides annual professional development workshops for local high school chemistry and physics teachers. Contact them for more information: QualityTalk@psu.edu.

HOW TO COLLABORATE:

• Quality Talk provides research opportunities for undergraduates. Please visit Penn State’s undergraduate education website for more information: https://undergradresearch.psu.edu/oppDetail.cfm?oid=442
• Quality Talk welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with chemistry or physics faculty members and graduate students interested in designing lesson plans on science phenomenon that stimulate rich discussions through Quality Talk. These lessons will be used by teachers enacting Quality Talk in their classrooms in future research and dissemination activities.
• Quality Talk invites faculty and students to reach out regarding collaboration in future funding opportunities for research and dissemination activities.
• Please contact Dr. P. Karen Murphy, Professor in the College of Education, at pkm15@psu.edu.

PAST EXAMPLES OF COLLABORATION:

• Quality Talk has an ongoing collaboration with CSATS Center for Science and the Schools.
• The first undergraduate student to participate in the research opportunities for undergraduates has been admitted as a doctoral student in a research intensive university.