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Lycoming College recently
hosted a meeting and planning session for the Pennsylvania Multi-Region Math
Science STEM Partnership Project, an approximately $4.2 million three-year grant
that will educate teachers across the state for professional development in
science and math common core standards.
According to Dr. Charles Mahler,
assistant professor of chemistry at Lycoming, the goal of the
grant is to improve teaching of science and math in Pennsylvania schools and
involves 17 faculty members from five colleges and universities – including two
from Lycoming.
“More
than 150 teachers from several regions of the state, who teach grades three
through 12, are involved,” Mahler said. “We will spend three days at NASA’s
Goddard Space Flight Center, a week at Immaculata University, then meet in
smaller groups in the regions through the course of the academic year.”
Mahler
represents one of the science educators and Dr. Michael Smith, assistant
professor of math at Lycoming, is one of the mathematics educators. STEM stands
for science, technology, engineering and mathematics and is an initiative
to ensure that American students do not lag behind their international
peers in these subjects. A recent Wall Street Journal report indicated
that more than two-thirds of U.S. eight graders still lack a solid grasp of
science facts, according to figures released in the 2011 National Assessment of
Educational Progress.
The
project’s regional director is Dr. David Morgan, a 1969 Lycoming graduate. Partners
of the program include Lycoming, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Immaculata
University, University of Pittsburgh at Greenburg, University of Scranton and
Albright College.
In
addition to paying the teachers for this additional training, the grant also
provides accompanying materials for use in the classroom and a new iPad mini for
teachers to encourage the use of technology in the classroom as part of the
STEM initiatives.
Morgan stressed that the educators are
not creating new curriculum or teaching elementary students; rather, they are
working with adult learners so those educators can bring back that knowledge to
their classrooms. The educational activities at Lycoming also included rocket
launches of 4-foot rockets equipped with cameras to encourage the educators to
use innovative teaching methods.
Lycoming
College is a four-year, residential liberal arts and sciences school dedicated
to the undergraduate education of 1,400 students. Its rigorous academic
program, vibrant residential community and supportive faculty foster successful
student outcomes. Lycoming offers 36 academic majors and is recognized as a
Tier 1 institution by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1812 and located
near the banks of the Susquehanna River in Williamsport, Pa., Lycoming is one
of the 50 oldest colleges in the nation. For more information, visit
www.lycoming.edu.