If you have a passion for working with young adults and are ready for a challenging and rewarding career, take the next step – TEACH!
California schools are projected to need upwards of 33,000 new mathematics and science teachers within the next ten years. Current projections show that within the next decade, thousands of middle school and high school science teachers will be leaving teaching; with a significant percentage through retirement. Job opportunities for math and science teachers over that period will vary from good to excellent, depending on location and subject. Today, many schools are looking for qualified math and science teachers. The need for Secondary School teachers between 2010-2020 is projected to be almost 10,000 in Los Angeles County alone.
The demand for credentialed teachers in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is significantly higher than the supply of fully qualified candidates. A report released by the California Council on Science and Technology in 2007 projects that at the current rate of teacher preparation, California will fall short by 30 percent of the fully prepared math and science teachers needed by California schools.
In response to this demand, the California State University (CSU), the state's largest producer of math and science teachers, has made a commitment to double its annual production of credentialed STEM teachers over a five-year period. Among the strategies employed include financial support to students pursuing teaching careers and increased collaboration between CSU campuses and their neighboring community colleges.
The STEM Teacher Preparation Program
Supported by a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Mt. San
Antonio College (Mt. SAC) is collaborating with the University of California Irvine
(UCI), California State University Fullerton (CSUF) and the Walnut Valley School District
to implement a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) teacher preparation
program (TP2) specifically targeting students wishing to teach at middle and high school levels.
STEM TP2 provides advising, mentoring, teaching experience, financial aid, academic support and enrichment activities designed to improve student teaching and learning. Students who have a strong desire and dedication to become highly qualified science and/or mathematics teachers at the middle or high-school levels are strongly encouraged to apply to the program. Selected students will have the opportunity to; (1) teach at the Summer Science Exploration Experience (S2E2) and as a Supplemental Instructor (SI), (2) participate in math and science research projects at both Mt. SAC and at UCI, and (3) transfer to UCI, CSUF or other teacher education programs to complete studies and earn teaching credentials. The following video has an overview of the program:
The following are brief descriptions of the STEM TP2 Program key activities.
Summer Science Exploration Experience (S2E2)
The Mt. SAC S2E2 is a four-week program devoted to exploring science of everyday life and the advances of modern science and technology. This is accomplished by using science illustrations, hands-on experiments, and the application of science to explore and understand today's society. The S2E2 activities are designed by experienced faculty and staff with a hands-on, approach aimed at expanding the horizons and experiences of seventh through twelfth grade students. Under the direction of the S2E2 Director, Mt. SAC faculty, and middle and high school master teachers, fifty (50) seventh through twelfth grade students will participate in the S2E2 each summer of the program. The program includes topics ranging from astronomy to zoology, with learning opportunities using computers, the Mt. SAC Planetarium, analytical instruments, field study locations, and diagnostic chemical testing. Students selected into the program will participate in the S2E2 as instructional aides and gain an invaluable teaching experience.
Research
The STEM TP2 program provides a two-pronged real-world research experience for selected students to become effective STEM teachers and educators. Initially, students will work in one of several research projects at Mt. SAC based on their major and interest. Secondly, students will conduct six weeks of full-time funded research opportunity at UC Irvine or another college. The UC Irvine research opportunities will take place during the summer to allow students to concentrate on their studies during the regular academic year. These experiences are designed to help our STEM TP2 students acquire important skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and improve their communication skills. One of the most important aspects of the research program is that students will gain self-confidence in doing independent work.
A brief description of each research project follows.
Wildlife Sanctuary Project
Mt. SAC has ten acres of fenced land known as the Wildlife Sanctuary. Within this area are a year-round stream and three small lakes, all fed by groundwater. STEM TP2 students with chemistry and biology interests will work in teams to monitor water quality within the sanctuary and other local natural spring water sources. Students will routinely sample and test these waters and conduct biological and chemical tests. Students will assist in data collection, scientific analysis, interpretation of results and organizing results for a final presentation.
UCI Summer Research Project
In addition to the on-campus research experiences, students will have the opportunity to engage in a paid six-week full-time summer research program in the laboratories at UC Irvine, CSU Fullerton or Harvey Mudd College. Students will join a research group that best matches their major and their interests. They will be supervised and mentored by faculty, post-docs and graduate students working on disciplinary or multidisciplinary research projects. Following the conclusion of their research projects, students will have an opportunity to present their research results at Mt. SAC, UC Irvine and at the annual Southern California Conference on Undergraduate Research (SCCUR).
For more information about the STEM TP2 program, please contact the program investigators.
Dr. Iraj Nejad, Principal Investigator
Chemistry Department, Mt. San Antonio College
Building 7-2108 C
inejad@mtsac.edu
909-274-4535
Dr. Charlie Newman, Co-Principal Investigator
Chemistry Department, Mt. San Antonio College
Building 7-2108 I
cnewman@mtsac.edu
909-274-4014
