Mathematics and Science Teacher Initiative

 

The Mathematics and Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI) at Fresno State is funded through the CSU Chancellor’s Office to increase the number of fully-credentialed and well-educated middle school and high school mathematics and science teachers. In partnership with MSTI, Community Based Learning offers a variety of professional development and classroom opportunities for Liberal Studies students to develop expertise in STEM and to pique their interest in obtaining an additional credential in teaching mathematics and/or science.  Program activities are designed to make a positive impact on middle school student achievement at the same time. Projects include the following:

STEM Training at the NASA Aerospace Academy: Undergraduates and career changers will participate in a 36-hour STEM training, taught in nine sessions. Six workshop sessions will be available for participants to choose based on their interest. Recruits will be trained in STEM activities related to math, science, and engineering, with integrated technology, such as 3D Printing, Coding, Lego Robotics, Arduino, Minecraft, and Gaming. They will learn how to engage students in grades K-8 while co-teaching with the main instructor in each of the nine STEM workshops. Lesson design will support Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. The workshop will be used to interest participants in specialized STEM classes for teachers at Fresno State and in adding concentrations in math or science to their credential plans.

STEM Experience in Summer Programs: Train and place 6 pre-service teachers to gain experience in STEM instruction in summer programs offered through After School University (Fresno State), Madera Unified, or Central Unified. Students will be recruited, trained, and placed 24 hrs per week for five weeks in a summer program. Training and the summer instruction would be in Robotics, Beginning Engineering, Science and Technology, 3D Printing, Coding, and Web Design. This will provide experience for college students, whose school year schedules prevent placement in after school programs, who would profit from STEM instructional experience with K-8 students.

STEM Experience in After School Programs: After school programs will provide and experiential introduction to undergraduates and career changers to the world of STEM teaching. CBL will train and mentor 24 undergraduates/career changers in three-person STEM Teams to gain exposure and experience in STEM instruction in after school programs in local schools. They will be placed with an experienced Teaching Fellow and will offer a 36-hour unit of instruction, taught in twenty-four 90-minute sessions, with classes at selected schools throughout the semester. Participants will learn how to engage K-8 students in STEM using student interest and activities with practical relevance. Activities span math, science, and engineering, with integrated technology, and support Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. This experience will provide relevant teaching experience and interest participants in specialized STEM credential programs at Fresno State and in adding concentrations in math or science to their credential plans.