PROM/SE holds summer math and science academies for teachers

PROM/SE (Promoting Rigorous Outcomes in Mathematics and Science Education) will hold its annual Summer Mathematics and Science Academies for K-12 teachers from its 60 participating districts. Nearly 670 teachers are expected to attend the four-day academies in Michigan and Ohio.

The summer academies offer teachers an opportunity to fully concentrate on developing a deeper understanding of the mathematics and science they teach, in a supportive atmosphere with their fellow teachers, and away from the demands of their classroom.

Teachers attend interactive courses designed by a team of mathematicians, scientists, educators, and K-12 teachers that address areas of low student achievement. PROM/SE tested over 200,000 students (grades 3-12) on their knowledge of mathematics and science. Using these data and teacher surveys, PROM/SE designed the courses in the summer academies to address areas of need, improve teacher content knowledge in these areas, and eventually, improve student achievement.

Through the academies, PROM/SE is helping teachers understand mathematics and science concepts taught two grades below and two grades beyond their class so that teachers can tie together these concepts in their classrooms and help students understand broad themes that unfold in the disciplines.

Summer science courses are designed around the unifying theme of Systems and the unifying principle of Energy- both areas where PROM/SE data showed weak student test scores. Mathematics courses feature such topics as whole number, equations, fractions and algebra, as well as their complex interrelationships. Teachers in all courses will also learn to support and appreciate the power and complexity of student scientific and mathematical thinking and how to address common student misperceptions. For more information, visit http://promse.msu.edu