New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) was awarded a five-year, $3-million National Science Foundation grant to impart and infuse computational methods and tools in a math and science context into high school classrooms in Newark. The result will be that 3000 high school students and their teachers will have a unique chance to learn how computers can be used to model, simulate and visualize vast amounts of information that enhance traditional theoretical and experimental approaches to science and math. The "Computation and Communication: Promoting Research Integration in Science and Mathematics" or C2PRISM grant will place 24 Fellowsall working towards doctoral degrees in the computational sciences or mathematics in one of three Newark public high schools and one private high school, St. Vincents Academy.
"Beyond the scientific community, few people have had the chance to learn how computing has transformed research. We aim to change that image," said Fadi Deek, PhD, dean of NJITs College of Science and Liberal Arts, who is one of the three principal investigators leading the research team. "We see this as a great opportunity for teachers to participate in an NSF-funded NJIT professional development program. Teachers will have the chance to interact with peers in Newark, attend regional and national conferences and even co-author conference papers."
During the summer, the Fellows will receive two weeks of training in classroom strategies to facilitate inquiry-based classroom activities, understand interpersonal dynamics and classroom safety, and how to document their work. Two additional weeks will be devoted to the Fellow and teacher pairs planning and designing standards and inquiry-based math and science lessons, learning how to relate measurable learning objectives to student work products and understanding how best to implement state content standards.
"We anticipate that having young scientists in the classroom will
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Contact: Sheryl Weinstein
sheryl.m.weinstein@njit.edu
973-596-3436
New Jersey Institute of Technology
2-Apr-2007