Dr. Mandana Sassanfar and MAS join forces!
Dr. Sassanfar, a MAS board member and long time director of the MASS State Science fair at MIT, will act as Director of the MJAS through 2010. Learn more about her in her MAS interview on the MJAS page.
New England Aquarium offers FREE institute
The New England Aquarium is excited to offer a FREE summer Professional Development Institute for Massachusetts science teachers. Funded by the MA Department of Education, the institute hopes to serve upper elementary and middle school science teachers from districts of need, but all MA teachers are welcome to apply.
Location:New Bedford Whaling Museum – New Bedford, MA
Dates: July 28 - August 6, 2008 & 2 fall Saturdays TBD
Times: 8:30am - 3:30pm
PDP's: 62.5
College Credits: 4 graduate credits for $200 will be available through Cambridge College, Cambridge, MA
Registration: Please email us at trc@neaq.org
Gov. Wants For Incentives For Math, Science Teachers
Gov. Deval Patrick announces his education reform plan at EMC in Hopkinton.
Bay State educators could see pay incentives to teach math and science, work in high-need districts and help struggling students improve under major school reforms Gov. Deval Patrick revealed yesterday.
The proposals are part of Patrick's "Readiness Project," a 10-year plan he began rolling out this week to reshape public schools. He explained new details in a visit yesterday to data storage giant EMC Corp. in Hopkinton, highlighting the plan's emphasis on readying students for a high-tech, global economy. "Our economic future in Massachusetts is more and more tied to innovation technologies like yours," Patrick told EMC employees.
On Monday, Patrick also proposed everything from expanded preschool and kindergarten programs to free community college for state residents. Yesterday, he said the state has some of the nation's best schools, but achievement gaps persist between white students and minority and low-income children. While the state's technology sector is strong, too few college-bound students are majoring in math, and the country ranks 25th in math and 21st in science, Patrick said.
"We're working with a late 19th, early 20th century education system," said Paul Reville, Patrick's secretary of education.
To maintain economic growth and overcome those gaps, the state needs to give students 21st century skills, Patrick said.
"We have to attract and retain the best and brightest to lead our classrooms and give them the tools and support they need to bring their magic to bear for our kids," Patrick said.
His plan calls for a statewide fellowship program to help develop more math and science teachers. Patrick also called for better pay aimed at keeping teachers at low-income, high-need schools and in other needed positions. Patrick also suggested pay rewards for teachers at schools that show continuous improvement in overall student performance.
At the same time, he proposes expanded teacher training and mentoring programs, and simplifying the certification and licensing process. The governor also proposed regional "Readiness Centers" for professional development and curriculum work, and so-called "Readiness Schools," public schools that would function like charter schools.
Patrick also is eyeing changes in school leadership - he called for some districts to consolidate to streamline administration, and for a statewide contract with all teachers instead of deals negotiated by each city and town. the expense of others that are struggling.
Education is a cornerstone of the Massachusetts Academy of Science
As pointed out in a recent article in Discover by Lisa Randall, a theoretical physicist at Harvard University, the climate conducive to scientific research and discovery that has existed in the United States for the last 50 years has in the last 5 years begun to change as we face new challenges in education and funding. Two problems in particular stand out: students are increasingly choosing non-scientific careers that are potentially more lucrative but educationally less demanding while government funding and support in key research areas is waning.
The latest Department of Education statistics show average science scores over the past 10 years have increased very modestly or stayed the same in grades 4 and 8, but are falling significantly by grade 12. The percentage of bachelor degrees awarded in science related fields during this same period has plummeted in the United States while increasing elsewhere in the world, particularly in Western Europe. The net result of this situation is the United States is losing ground as a world leader in scientific research and application. Just when the country needs it most, government support for vital new areas of scientific inquiry such as stem cell research is sorely lacking while funding for public institutions such as the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History has actually declined.
There is reason for hope however. Despite setbacks in funding and education, many American students are still drawn to science curricula and careers. Academies of Science and science fairs continue to draw respectable numbers of participants and science museums and centers attract more visitors than ever before in history. The MAS supports the best interests of Massachusetts residents through science education outreach, programs, and now a junior academy for students which will sponsor an annual, statewide science presentation.
We can all lead by example by becoming more science-literate and sharing this enthusiasm with our children. Make a point to visit the many fine museums, science centers, zoos, aquariums and arboretums in Massachusetts. Learn more about our state's system of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, and, support the Massachusetts Academy of Sciences.
Sincerely,
Michael Bertrand
Director of Education
mbertrand00@yahoo.com
Science doesn't have to be hard to understand! We are developing an interactive online resource, including video podcasts, that will enable YOU to:
