The University of Mississippi has launched an initiative to address critical national, state, and local needs for a more STEM-educated workforce and citizenry.
Goals:
- Increase the # of STEM graduates, especially among underrepresented groups.
- Ensure all UM STEM graduates have 21st century skills and a broad understanding of the role of science in society.
- Increase the number of K-12 science teachers who can inspire and prepare students to pursue STEM education and careers.
- Improve "science literacy"
- Provide the facilities and infrastructure needed to achieve these goals.
Working Groups: (proposed)
- Innovative Teaching & Learning
- Student Recruitment, Retention, and Career Placement
- Faculty Recruitment, Retention, and Development
- Teacher Preparation and Professional Development
- Public Outreach and Engagement
- Facilities and Infrastructure
STEM Education Programs at UM:
- K-12 Teacher Preparation in the School of Education
- STEM Living Learning Community
- Center for Mathematics and Science Education (CMSE)
- The Mississippi Space Grant Consortium
- The Center for Manufacturing Excellence
- Minority Recruitment and Retention Programs
- UM Women in STEM
- Introduce a Gal to Engineering Day
- A one-day program to introduce 50-60 regional female high school students to Engineering
- The Oxford Science Cafe
- The Center for Educational Research and Evaluation (CERE)
See CERE brochure in attachments section below. - School of Engineering Ambassadors
- Summer College for High School Students
Offers three programs specifically targeting engineering, science, and technology (Brochure - PDF)- Pre-Engineering Program
- Pre-Health Professions Program
- Computer Science Program
- Summer Academy
Offers several high school courses to rising eight, ninth, and tenth graders: Botany, Environmental Science, Advanced Seminar in Engineering, and Astronomy. These courses, taught by certified high school teachers, earn Carnegie units for the students. The courses, while in the curriculum framework for schools in Mississippi, are not frequently taught in most high schools. - Independent Study High School
Delivers high school courses in math and science to students who choose a non-residential approach to learning; additionally offers advanced math and science courses. This helps school districts with limited resources offer upper level and AP classes. - Rebel Quest
Involves children ages six to thirteen. It is a day camp with each session one week in length. Topics have included Outdoor Adventure (including basics of biology) and Construction (Engineering basics with Legos). - Summer Teacher Workshops
For teacher recertification purposes. Each summer at least one workshop is offered in the sciences and at least one in mathematics. These workshops are designed to improve math and science instruction in elementary, middle, and high schools. Emphasis has been placed on new concepts and better ways of instruction students in these areas. - Academic Competitions
Geared to middle school and high school students.- Brain Brawl
- Math Tournament
- Engineering Competition
- Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
- Science and Engineering Fair
- US First Robotics Competition
- UM Field Station
- 1 auditorium and two teaching laboratories (wet labs) available for university courses, workshops, & continuing education for science teachers
- Field days for elementary school students
- Ecology Day Camps (summer)
- Regional Campuses
Provide mathematics courses to regional students who are seeking a secondary mathematics endorsement - Service Learning Projects
Some aspects of these projects involve assisting in educational areas including science and mathematics- Belize
- Mound Bayou
- Sunflower Freedom Project
Communication:
An online discussion group has been created at wiggio.com to facilitate communication and collaboration among stakeholders in the University of Mississippi Innovations in STEM Education Initiative.
To request an invitation to join the online discussion, to suggest corrections or updates to this Web page, or to learn more about, contribute to, or to become engaged in the UM Innovations in STEM Education Initiative, contact the office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Sponsored Programs at 662-915-7583 or vcrsp@olemiss.edu.
Links:
