UMaine 2006 Science and Mathematics Conference Focuses on Teachers
Contact: Leisa Preble, 581-1016
ORONO – The four-day National Conference and Summer Academy sponsored by UMaine’s Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research begins Sunday, June 25, with the arrival of more than 175 teachers, professors and researchers, all looking to explore ways to make science and math more appealing to middle and secondary school students.
The 2006 conference theme is “Integrating Science and Mathematics Research into Teaching.” Traditionally, conference participants discuss, present and share ways methods to improve science and math teaching skills, and ultimately to attract more boys and girls to science and math fields.
An estimated 175 teachers or education researchers from Maine and across the nation have registered to attend. Nearly 30 of them have been invited to deliver talks about their expertise and experience in the field.
This year’s conference and academy, June 25-30, is again sponsored by the UMaine Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research, a joint effort of the colleges of Education and Human Development, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture, in conjunction with The National Science Foundation through the Teacher Professional Continuum Program, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fleet National Bank, a Bank of America Company, and Trustee of the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation.
The four-day conference offers speakers, panel discussions and opportunities for participants to meet informally to discuss ideas brought up during the formal sessions.
In addition to the nearly 30 invited speakers, others will make poster presentations and give talks on how to make science and math teaching more exciting and effective. Participants will consider new ways to use technology in the classroom and new theories on science and math teaching. Areas also being covered include exploring equity concerns, gender and Native Americans in the field of science and math, in addition to obstacles faced by teachers and programs that are designed to address such issues.
Conference speakers include several UMaine faculty members.
The conference agenda, list of speakers and other information are on the web at http://www.umaine.edu/center/2006_Summer_Conference/