Math and Science Initiatives
INTRODUCTION
One of the urgent needs in Bexar county schools preparing graduates who will generate technological
as well as in schools across the nation is to improve innovations and create domestic high-tech industries.
student learning in mathematics and the sciences. If Trinity University and the CEL work to reverse this
this crisis is not resolved, the health of our economy alarming trend by training a competent teaching
and, indeed, our society may be jeopardized. force ready to meet the complex demands of the
Two key indicators reveal the gravity of the 21st century.
problem. First, although many outstanding individu- Because of the importance of this issue, Trinity’s
als teach these subjects, across the nation our teaching education department, in collaboration with university
force lacks advanced math and science content knowl- colleagues in mathematics and the sciences, has made
edge. The shortage of highly qualified mathematics strengthening the capacities of and volume of STEM
and science teachers is most acute in high-poverty teachers a priority. Funding from Howard Hughes
middle and high schools. Other states mirror Texas in Medical Institute (HHMI) underwrote the following
the lack of qualifications among teachers in math and collaborations between the education and the science
the sciences. departments in the past year:
The second indicator results from the first: It is
our poor performance on the international examina- – The Active Learning Institute brought
tions that compare U.S. students to those in other together teachers from urban middle schools
countries. We trail the East Asian nations in every to participate in four three-day institutes that
measure of PK-12 math and science educational better prepared them to teach sixth through
achievement. eighth grade physical and life science. This
Strengthening the knowledge and skills of our four year program ended in Spring, 2008.
students in math and science is crucial to our society’s
ability to continue to compete in the global economy – Trinity’s Science Learning Academies is an
and remain a technological leader. Increasing the outreach program that brings 250 local middle
number of students with math and science skills is school students to Trinity’s campus four times
vital to reversing these trends in education and in across the school year to engage in minds-on
business. At a time when companies move high learning opportunities using our lab facilities.
tech, high income jobs to developing nations where Pre-service teacher candidates serve as mentors
wages and production costs are lower, we must start to the participating middle school students.
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