NSF-Noyce Western NY Partnership for New Science and Math Scholars By Daniel MacIsaac, Kathleen Falconer and Nevin Hende

1. NSF-Noyce Western NY Partnership for New Science and Math Scholars By Daniel MacIsaac, Kathleen Falconer and Nevin Henderson SUNY- Buffalo State College, NY, U.S.A. 14217 <macisadl@buffalostate.edu> NSF grant -0434103 This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0434103. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. • Introduction to Buffalo StateCollege • State University of New York College at Buffalo • Carnegie Masters I • 12,000 students • 16% minority • 55% women • - Largest SUNY comprehensive college and only SUNY urban college • Originally Buffalo Normal School in 1871 • NCATE accredited • 28% of undergrads • 46 / 63 graduate programs are in education • only NY NYSED Transitional B Certificatein Physics program (NSF DUE0302097) • Introduction to BSC Noyce Project • Investigators: • D. MacIsaac • J. Zawicki • S. McMillen • D. Henry • D. Wilson • SUNY- Buffalo State College • Partners: • Buffalo State Center for Excellence in Urban and Rural Education (CEURE) • Buffalo Public Schools • School District of the City of Niagara Falls • NY State Boards of Cooperating Schools Educational Services (BOCES) • Cattaraugus-Allegany (22SD) • Erie I (20SD) • Erie 2 Chautauqua-Cattaraugus (22SD) • Genesee Valley (22SD) • Orleans-Niagara (13SD) • Science Teachers Association of New York State (STANYS) • Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State (AMTNYS) • Project Goals and Progress • Project Goals: • - at least 44 new highly qualified K-12 STEM teachers recruited and prepared • - particular efforts to recruit and support women and underrepresented populations in STEM teaching • Progress To Date (Y3 of 5): • -20 STEM teaching candidates supported • 10 women • 6 minority • 2 more applicants currently in process for summer 07 • - 8 working (6 confirmed HN schools; 1 unknown; one not HN) • Programs at Buffalo State with funded Noyce candidates (n): • -B.S.Ed. Mathematics (12) • -M.S.Ed. Physics with NYSED Transitional B Certification (6) • -M.S.Ed. (Childhood Ed 1-6) Including Initial Teacher Certification (MIITC) (1) • -Biology Education (7-12); Post-baccalaureate teacher certification (1) • A Few Observations: • -most minority candidates are early career female African-American mathematics educators on Noyce scholarships (switching to the B.S. in Math Ed or earning a second B.S. in Math Ed) • -physics has been most able to attract and draw mid- and late- life career changers (engineers and scientists who return to school to become teachers) via a specialized program for such • -a specialized program in elementary education (MIITC) also has drawn career switching candidate interest • -we have been successful drawing interest statewide by word of mouth, website adverts and listings with the NYSED. We intend to step up with appeals to teaching alumni and the state mathematics and science associations Ms. Tamara Mugel recently enrolled in the M.S.Ed. (Physics with NYSED Transitional B Certification) program at Buffalo State with Noyce financial support. Tammy holds a B.S.Eng. from Cornell in Agricultural Engineering and an M.S. Eng in Mechanical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, and worked as a design engineer and in engineering management for 11 years. She has worked with Bornhava Early Childhood school since 2005, and with the Girl Scouts, Northeast YMCA and the United Methodist Church. She writes "I would now like to change careers by using my science background and project management experience to pursue teaching. What I will bring to teaching is maturity, caring, life experience, work experience and creativity." Dr. Pratibha Chopra-Sukumaran is a Ph.D. Chemist (UB, 1990) currently finishing up her M.S.Ed. (Physics with NYSED Transitional B Certification) program at Buffalo State with Noyce financial support. She has taught undergraduate chemistry at Buffalo State for several years and now tutors science and mathematics to school children in the resource room at Williamsville South HS. Pratibha has taught adults and elementary students as well. She says that her students "will improve their own quality of life, and ...also improve the quality of their children's lives, for they will be the leaders in their community and the community at large." Summer Physics Class at Buffalo State College Ms. Dana Murray recently accepted a position with Buffalo Public Schools as a HS Math Teacher. She graduated from the B.S. in Mathematics Education program at Buffalo State leading to NYSED 7-12 certification in Mathematics in May 2007, supported with a Noyce fellowship. She has been a foster sister to many children for Child and Family Services, and has been involved in the CFS Big Sister Program. Dana also coaches and teaches dance, and manages stage for the African –American Cultural Center here in Buffalo. Dana says that "There is no other place I would rather teach than in an urban school." Mr. Mike Caban holds a BS in physics from Houghton College and a BS in civil engineering from SUNY at Buffalo. After two years of engineering he enrolled in the M.S.Ed. (Physics with NYSED Transitional B Certification) program at Buffalo State with Noyce financial support. He now is teaching HS physics in Springfield PA while completing the program. Mike writes that “he enjoys working with young adults, especially in mentoring and teaching environments.” Mr. Nevin Henderson holds a B.S. in Geology and two years of graduate study from SUNY- Oneonta, and acted as a contract instructor of geology labs at both Oneonta and nearby Hartwick College. Nevin was asked to step in as an uncertified Earth Science and Physics teacher upon the midyear departure of his predecessor at Charlotte Valley Central High School in rural Davenport, NY. His superintendent, Mr. Mark Dupra (Buffalo State class of 1975) recommended him for admission to the M.S.Ed. (Physics with NYSED Transitional B Certification) program at Buffalo State with Noyce financial support, and he is now partway through that program and eligible for Transitional B Certification. Nevin writes "I enjoy teaching and am highly needed at the rural school in Central NY in which I am currently employed. Entering my second year of teaching I have come to realize that this is not only a teaching job but has become my passion."