Undergraduates: The Coalition is working with Philadelphia area universities to identify potential math and science teachers and to ensure that they are well prepared to enter Philadelphia's often challenging classrooms. Undergraduate recruitment pilot projects are underway at Bryn Mawr College, Drexel University, Holy Family University, Temple University, and the University of Pennsylvania. We will seek to replicate these model projects with other partners.
Graduates and Career-Changers: The Coalition collaborates with six area programs that recruit and support math and science business professionals as they transition to teaching as well as the School District of Philadelphia to increase the number of qualified math and science teachers. > Learn more
RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
The Coalition conducted an online math and science teacher questionnaire to better learn what math and science teachers perceive as their greatest needs. More than 175 teachers completed the questionnaire. Future programs in all areas will use the questionnaire results for guidance.
The Coalition is working with its corporate partners and others to bring STEM professionals into math and science classrooms as volunteers. The program is being piloted at University City High School and in select College Access Program schools. > Learn more
The Coalition sponsors and on-going Teacher Forum for Philadelphia math and science teachers. Teaches meet to discuss issues, share lessons, and learn from each other. The Coalition awarded mini-grants to math and science teachers totaling nearly $5000 as part of the Teacher Forum.
The Coalition will convene a task force to pursue Goal five of its strategic plan: “Identify instructional resources necessary for effective math and science teaching and learning.”
PRE-SERVICE EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Coalition convenes groups of math and science and education faculty from fourteen area universities to identify those elements of pre-service programs that can be enhanced in order train more effective math and science teachers. The Coalition convenes the dean or arts and science and education from these same fourteen universities to plan and implement changes in pre-service programs for math and science teachers.
National research proves that continuing professional development for math and science teachers works best when it is based on the needs of students, data-driven, continuous rather than "shot gun," and developed with teachers as equal partners. Working closely with the District, with teachers and with other partners, the Coalition will pilot its professional development "communities of practice" plan with science teachers.
COMMUNICATION
While planning for a more comprehensive communications plan, the Coalition launched “Explore STEM Philly,” an initiative to make Philadelphia students aware of, and interested in, STEM careers in the region. Partnering with the Pennsylvania STEM Initiative, the Team Pennsylvania Foundation, the Coalition collaborates with area corporations which host events to highlight STEM careers. PECO Energy hosted the first event in 2009, and more are planned.Videos of the “Explore STEM Philly” events will be distributed to schools and to parents as a way of making teachers, students and parents more aware of the importance of STEM careers.
