MMSTLC NEWS & EVENTS

Are you or do you know an outstanding mathematics or science teacher in seventh through twelfth grade? Please consider nominating him or her for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Anyone – principals, teachers, parents, students, or member of the general public – may nominate a teacher by completing the nomination form available on the PAEMST website at http://www.paemst.org.

MSTA will be accepting nominations until April 1, 2011. The online application is also available at www.paemst.org. There is still plenty of time to apply. Applications are due May 2, 2011.

What Are the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching?

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Enacted by Congress in 1983, this program authorizes the President to bestow up to 108 awards each year. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

In addition to honoring individual achievement, the goal of the award program is to exemplify the highest standards of mathematics and science teaching. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.
The following are eligibility criteria for nominees. They must:

• Teach mathematics or science at the 7th-12th grade level in a public or private school.
• Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Be a full-time employee of the school or school district as determined by state and district policies, and teach K-12 students at least 50% of the time.
• Have at least 5 years of full-time, K-12 mathematics or science teaching experience prior to the 2010-2011 academic school year.
• Teach in one of the 50 states or the four U.S. jurisdictions. The jurisdictions are Washington, DC; Puerto Rico; Department of Defense Schools; and the U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
• Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Not have received the PAEMST award at the national level in any prior competition or category.

Why Apply?

Recipients of the award receive the following:

• A citation signed by the President of the United States.
• A paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities.
• A $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

In addition to recognizing outstanding teaching in mathematics or science, the program provides teachers with an opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the nation. This growing network of award-winning teachers serves as a vital resource for improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and keeping America globally competitive.

Please recognize exemplary teachers by nominating them for this prestigious award. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Betty Crowder, the statewide coordinator for this effort.

MACUL (Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning) is accepting applications for the 2010 MI Champions program. MI Champions provides support for professional development around technology use and integration for teachers, based on the NETS standards. For the program, teams of 3-5 teachers from a school can apply, with up to 70 schools or 350 educators participating in the program. MI Champions awardees receive funding to support participation at the MACUL conference in 2010 and 2011, onsite coaching, professional development support (including stipends and sub-reimbursements), and the possibility of CEU or graduate credit for the experience.

For more information, visit the MI Champions website and check out the application form.

Applications are due December 16, 2009.

MSTA announced the competition for the Dan Wolz Clean Water Education Grant. This award is designed to help enable Michigan teachers to be aware of and promote careers in water environment, water quality, and wastewater management not only to their students, but also to the science community. The goal is to have students throughout the state who are much more aware of the contributions these industries make to society, and ideally, to become inspired enough in these fields to choose a career path that would make them a part of this broader effort of these fields.

More information about the program can be found here.

The Grant Application is available here, and should be postmarked by Dec. 18, 2009 and sent or faxed to the MSTA Office at the following address:
Sue Campbell
MSTA Office
3300 Washtenaw Ave., Suite 220
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: 734-973-0433
FAX: 734-677-2407