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Mathematics and Science Education at The
University of Northern Iowa
Bulwark against the gathering storm
McCollum Science Hall
Wright Hall
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Mathematics and Science Education at The
University of Northern Iowa
Bulwark against the gathering storm
Jeffrey Weld, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Science
Education, Department of Biology Cherin Lee,
Ph.D., Associate Professor, Science Education,
Chair, Science Education program Edward Rathmell,
Ph.D., Professor, Mathematics Education,
Department of Mathematics Lyn Countryman, Ph.D.,
Associate Professor, Science Education, Price
Laboratory School
Presenters
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Math and Science Education
_at_
A national math and science forecast
Iowa outlook in math and science education

• The three industry sectors of Iowas New
  Economy bioscience, advanced manufacturing, and
  information solutions (Iowa Department of
  Economic Development)

• Iowa is 173 teachers short in Science and 121
  teachers short in Mathematics Task Force on
  Teacher Shortage

• In about five years, were not going to have
  anybody to teach Physics. former Governor Tom
  Vilsack, October 31, 2005

• Of the 20 fastest-growing occupations of the
  21st century, 15 require substantial mathematics
  and science preparation.

• 200,000 math and science teachers are expected to
  retire within a decade.

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Math and Science Education
Five Areas of Excellence
Teacher Education - Undergraduate and Graduate
Research
Professional Development for K-12 Teachers
Curriculum Development
Leadership State, Regional, National
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Math and Science Education
_at_
Teacher Education - Undergraduate and Graduate
By the numbers

• Unique College of Natural Sciences--College of
  Education interdependence

• Price Lab School integration in course
  development, teaching, field experiences

• Rigorous Majors in math or science content for
  Secondary Teachers

• Robust Minor in math or science for Elementary
  Education Majors

• Specialty math science courses for Elementary
  Teaching Majors

• Practitioner-oriented graduate programs spanning
  the state via ICN, on-line, on-campus hybrid

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Math and Science Education
_at_
Research
UNI Mathematics Education
UNI Science Education

• Effects of inquiry-style teaching on future
  elementary teachers practices and attitudes

• Creating teacher knowledge tests that have the
  potential to help identify specific knowledge
  that helps teachers improve achievement

• Changes in Science Teachers approach after a
  summer research experience

• Created and studied a distributed curriculum, a
  way to organize teaching to maximize achievement

• Impact of future teachers as undergraduate
  laboratory assistants

• Long history of contributions to research and
  curriculum journals as authors and on committees,
  setting direction for the profession

• Factors affecting secondary students
  conceptions of evolution

• Effective Science teaching for students with
  special needs

On the radar

• Impact of National Board Certified Teachers on
  Student Achievement in Iowa

• Large-scale study for the distributed curriculum

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Math and Science Education
_at_
Professional Development for K-12 Teachers
UNI Mathematics Education
UNI Science Education

• Created and conducted Every Student
  Counts--pilot versions AEA versions statewide
  program

• Summer science research for secondary teachers

• Physics institutes for secondary teachers

• Numerous grants and contracts serving teachers
  throughout Iowa

• Summer teacher workshops on Iowa DOEs Every
  Learner Inquires

• Workshops for teachers from K-12 schools on
  military bases throughout the world

• Annual science content updates for teachers

On the radar
Reaching teachers of Iowa Schools on
Rigor/Relevance in science math
On-line teacher knowledge tests for personalized
professional development for math
Workshops for MISA schools and parents in the
United States (500,000 students)
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Math and Science Education
_at_
Curriculum Development
UNI Mathematics Education
UNI Science Education

• PRISMS Plus (physics)

• K-12 Mathematics textbooks

• CRISTALS (chemistry)

• Instructional materials for number, operations,
  and number sense K-8 Strategies for teaching
  basic facts are now included in all elementary
  textbooks

• BIOMES (biology)
• GEOMES (geology)

• Energy Environmental Education

• Materials have been written using a distributed
  curriculum model to maximize achievement

• Ramps Pathways Physical science for pre-K-2nd
  grade

On the radar

• Additional distributed curriculum materials in
  development

• DVD Rigor and Relevance via the Model Core
  Curriculum

• Undergraduate biology learning package
  Discovering Biology

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Math and Science Education
_at_
Leadership State, Regional National
UNI Mathematics Education
UNI Science Education

• Leadership positions in the state--ICTM IMSC
  mathematics initiatives at the Iowa Dept. of
  Education, and the Iowa Board of Examiners

• Leadership positions in Iowa IST, IAS, science
  initiatives at the Iowa DOE

• National Science Education Standards authors and
  reviewers

• Major contributors in mathematics reform over
  the past 20 years, including NCTM Standards
  writing teams

• National leadership ASTE, NSTA, NABT, National
  Research Council

• Implementing state legislation on rigor and
  relevance, model core curriculum

• Major contributions to national
  publications--authors editorial panels

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Mathematics and Science Education at The
University of Northern Iowa
Laying a foundation for a scientifically
literate workforce begins with developing
outstanding K-12 teachers in science and
mathematics. Rising Above the Gathering Storm,
NAS, 2006
A continuous pursuit of excellence in
v Teacher Education v Research v Professional
Development v Curriculum development v
Leadership
McCollum Science Hall
Wright Hall
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