Teach the Arts of Inquiry, Innovation and Lifelong Learning

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Teach the Arts of Inquiry, Innovation and
Lifelong Learning Inquiry-Based Mathematics,
Science and Technology Initiatives for Preparing
K-12 Students and Highly Qualified
Teachers Professor Sharon Sherman The College of
New Jersey American Association of Colleges and
Universities January 19, 2007
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This presentation describes a series of
well-articulated mathematics, science and
technology initiatives that produce strong
pre-service teachers and enhance content and
skills of K-12 students and experienced teachers
in partner schools. Included are an integrated
mathematics, science and technology major,
undergraduate courses that integrate science and
society, inquiry-based programs for middle school
teachers, and strategies for recruiting and
retaining math and science teachers for high
need, hard to staff schools.
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Why is it important for us to focus on
mathematics and science in our schools? Indicator
s 2004, published by the National Science Board,
reports a decline in the number of U.S. citizens
training to become scientists and engineers in an
economy in which the number of jobs requiring
science, mathematics and engineering continues to
grow The Science and Engineering
Workforce/Realizing America's Potential (NSB
03-69, 2003) arrives at the same conclusion
Of the 20 fastest growing occupations projected
through 2010, 15 of them require substantial math
and science preparation (National Bureau of Labor
Statistics)
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Public opinion calls for better math and science
preparation in schools and 85 want this to be a
top priority in our states (Bayer
Corporation) According to state-level reports,
there is a high need for teachers of math and
science (National Association of State Boards of
Education The report Road Map for National
Security Imperative for Change, also known as
the Hart-Rudman Commission Report, focuses on the
critical need to develop citizens with the math
and science skills to create technologies and
strategies to ensure the nations safety.
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How are we addressing this need at The College of
New Jersey? (1) A Center for Mathematics,
Science, Technology and Pre-Engineering that
functions as a school service center, a
demonstrational and professional development
center for teachers, a product development
center, and a community resource
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(2) An integrated mathematics, science and
technology major for pre-service teachers
planning to teach in K-8 general and special
education classrooms. The first of its kind in
the nation, this program prepares teachers with
deep content knowledge in mathematics, science,
technology and pre-engineering as well as related
pedagogy
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(3) A series of themed courses for pre-service
teachers that integrate science and social issues
and address content in chemistry, biology,
physics and earth and space science
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(4) Graduate courses in mathematics and science
designed to produce highly qualified middle
school mathematics and science teachers. These
teachers mentor our pre-service teachers
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(5) Strategies developed as part of a 750,000
Improving Teacher Quality grant and a 3.3
million New Jersey Teacher Quality Enhancement
Recruitment (TQE-R) grant project, which address
the need to recruit and retain highly qualified
teachers in high poverty, low achieving schools
in the hard to staff areas of math and science.
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THE HISTORY
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FIPSE GRANT FOR 750,000 TO BUILD THE CENTER FOR
MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY A Center for
Mathematics, Science, Technology and
Pre-Engineering that functions as a school
service center, a demonstration and professional
development center for teachers, a product
development center, and a community
resource Center Staff Professional Development
Specialists Science Materials Equipment Math
Manipulatives Technology, Science
Kits, Geographical Information System, Sensors
Probes, Geometers Sketch Pad, Graphing
Calculators, Resource Books
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A New Academic Major Mathematics, Science and
Technology Professors from the Schools of
Science, Engineering and Education
Collaborate The major consists of Core Courses
in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics,
Technological Studies and Pre-Engineering Engineer
ing Mathematics, Structures and Mechanisms,
Creative Design Four Courses in the
Specialization Either Mathematics, Chemistry,
Biology, Physics or Pre-Engineering Methods of
Integrating Mathematics, Science Technology A
Capstone Course A Complete Major in Either
Elementary Ed, Early Childhood Ed or Education of
the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
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A New Pre-Engineering Education Major
The Need for the Engineering Method in
Technology Education David K. Gattie, Faculty
of Engineering University of Georgia

• David K. Gattie, University of Georgia,
• Faculty of Engineering

Keynote Address of the Technology Education,
Collegiate Association (TECA) Annual Conference,
Virginia Beach, VA, February 20, 2004
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Challenging Liberal Learning Courses in Math and
Science Math Structures and Algorithms I
II Genes, Cancer The Environment / Severe
Weather These inquiry-based courses cover the
math and science content for pre-service
teachers. The science courses address social
issues related to science as well as content in
chemistry, biology, physics and earth and space
science. A look at the New Jersey Core Curriculum
Content Standards specifies what teachers need to
know. K 12 students are tested in these areas
on standardized tests. Teachers are tested in
these areas on the PRAXIS examination. This is
required for teacher licensure in NJ.
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THE SEQUENCE Math Science Courses for All
Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8 Teachers
Genes, Cancer The Environment SCI 104
Math Structures Algorithms I MAT 105
Math Structures Algorithms II MAT 106
Severe Weather Hurricanes, Tornadoes
Thunderstorms SCI 103
Pre-K to Grade 8 Teachers take SCI 103, SCI
104, MAT 105 MAT 106 (8 SH of Science and 8 SH
of Math) These courses are regularly assessed
and updated.
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• The Science Courses Address
• Scientific Processes
• Science and Society
• Mathematical Applications
• Nature and Process of Technology
• Characteristics of Life
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Earth Science
• Astronomy and Space Science
• Environmental Studies

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Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8 Teachers Take
the Required MST Methods Semester including Field
Placement
Genes, Cancer The Environment SCI 104
Math Structures Algorithms I MAT 105
Math Structures Algorithms II MAT 106
Severe Weather Hurricanes, Tornadoes
Thunderstorms SCI 103
Science, Health And Technology MST 202
Mathematics Methods MTT 202
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Courses for Elementary School Teachers Selecting
the Elementary Certificate with Subject Matter
Specialization in Mathematics for Middle School
Teaching
Math Structures Algorithms I MAT 105
Math Structures Algorithms II MAT 106
Additional Math Course
Additional Math Course
Teachers take a minimum of 16 SH of mathematics
courses Courses in Geometry, Number Theory,
Patterns Algebra, Discrete Mathematics,
Probability and Statistics
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Courses for Elementary School Teachers Selecting
the Elementary Certificate with Subject Matter
Specialization in Science for Middle School
Teaching
Engineering Design Analysis Physics EDE 271
Genes, Cancer The Environment SCI 104
Additional Science Course
Severe Weather Hurricanes, Tornadoes
Thunderstorms SCI 103
Teachers take a minimum of 16 SH of science
courses Additional courses are taken in the
School of Science
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These Students Still Take the Required MST
Methods Semester
Engineering Design Analysis Physics EDE 271
Genes, Cancer The Environment SCI 104
Math Structures Algorithms I MAT 105
Math Structures Algorithms II MAT 106
Severe Weather Hurricanes, Tornadoes
Thunderstorms SCI 103
Science, Health And Technology MST 202
Mathematics Methods MTT 202
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The field placement is in the classroom of an
exemplary math or science teacher of grades pre-K
through 8. Some students are placed with middle
school teachers. This results in recruitment of
middle school math and science teachers.
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MSTeach Field Placement Outcomes

• First impressions of the classroom environment
• Observing the mathematical and scientific
  environment
• Observing student-teacher interactions
• Observing and participating in classroom
  activities
• Observing and participating in teaching via
  problem solving
• Observing and participating in inquiry-based
  instruction
• Observing use of assessment data to inform
  instruction
• Simple lesson observation
• Observing and working with students with special
  needs
• Observing assessing individual and group work
• Observing classroom management strategies
• Observing and using manipulatives and science
  equipment in the classroom
• Completing observation log
• Teaching one or more lessons and receiving
  feedback from the host teacher

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Graduate Courses in Mathematics and Science for
Practicing Teachers for Highly Qualified
Status Number Theory, Geometry, Patterns
Algebra, Discrete Mathematics, Probability and
Statistics Middle School Science Content and
Methods, Integrating Science Technology
Teachers as Leaders and Learners
Grant In-Classroom Coaching and Mentoring For
Practicing Teachers in Inquiry-Based Science and
Mathematics Online Mentoring for Pre-Service and
Practicing Teachers
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Graduate Courses in Mathematics and Science for
Practicing Teachers for Highly Qualified
Status Number Theory, Geometry, Patterns
Algebra, Discrete Mathematics, Probability and
Statistics Middle School Science Content and
Methods, Integrating Science Technology
Teachers as Leaders and Learners Grant Graduate
Courses in Math and Science for Practicing
Teachers Geometry, Number Theory, Patterns
Algebra, Discrete Mathematics, Probability and
Statistics Science Content and Methods for
Middle School Savvy Cyber Teacher Science
Technology Astronomy Creating Computer Games with
Digital Storytelling
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Teacher Quality Enhancement- Recruitment
Grant Strategies for Recruiting High Quality
Teachers for High Need Schools Urban Teacher
Academy Recruits 30 High School Students per
Year Summer Program plus Follow-Up Assistance
with College Application Process Mentoring Comput
er Science Academy Recruit High School Students
for Summer Program PD for Students and Teachers
Integrating Computer Science and the Arts
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Web Based Recruitment of Teachers for High Need
Districts Market Science and Math Teaching
Focus on High Need Districts Will Be Ready
Later This Month
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High Quality External Evaluation Track Student
Achievement in the Classes of Teachers Taking
Graduate Level Courses Track Student Achievement
in Classes of Teachers Receiving In-Classroom
Coaching and Mentoring Track Quality of Lessons
Produced by Teachers Receiving Online
Mentoring Track Retention of Teachers in Programs