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Developing a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Focus at Auburn University. Dr. W. Gary Martin Professor of Mathematics Education AU Presidential Fellow martiwg@auburn.edu 334-559-3141. Rationale. National calls for attention to STEM education
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Developing a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Focus at Auburn University Dr. W. Gary Martin Professor of Mathematics Education AU Presidential Fellow martiwg@auburn.edu 334-559-3141
Rationale • National calls for attention to STEM education • Perceived loss in U. S. leadership in STEM fields (cf. Rising Against the Gathering Storm, 2006) • Reported decline in the U. S.’s supply of scientists and engineers (Task Force on the Future of American Innovation, 2005) • Education is seen as the key to remedying this situation (cf. National Science Board, 2007) • This seems to be developing national priority.
Auburn’s Current Efforts • Funded projects • TEAM-Math (NSF Math and Science Partnership, $9.5 million; Malone Family Foundation, $305,000) • Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (Alabama Dept. of Education, approx $1.5 million annually) • GK12 program (NSF, $1.9 million) • Noyce Scholarship Program (NSF, $308,000) • Increasing diversity: COSAM and Engineering
Current Efforts (continued) • Outreach to K-12 • BEST robotics program • YES program • Interest or potential in other areas • Engineering education • Renewable energy, fisheries, … • Undergraduate education related to STEM
What Is Missing • A coordinated and sustained focus on STEM education at Auburn University
Goals • To enhance collaboration and communication among faculty members with an existing interest in STEM education and to recruit additional faculty members from across the Auburn University campus who are interested. • To develop an awareness of the need for a sustained focus on STEM education at Auburn University that includes stakeholders from other colleges and universities in the region, from K-12 education, and from business and industry.
Benefits • Better coordination of existing efforts • Identification of potential new collaborations and projects • Including external stakeholders • Better positioning to respond to future RFPs
Action Plan • Gathering information from: • Internal stakeholders regarding the role of STEM education at Auburn • External stakeholders regarding possible collaborations • Other institutions that have developed an effective focus on STEM education
Initial Meeting STEM Education Initiative Initial Discussion April 21, 2008, 3:00-4:30 PM Foy 202
For More Information Visit:http://www.auburn.edu/~martiwg/STEMfocus/ Contact: Dr. W. Gary Martin Professor of Mathematics Education AU Presidential Fellow martiwg@auburn.edu 334-559-3141