Irvine : Grant to Help Train Science, Math Teachers

UC Irvine has received a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to qualify junior high school teachers to teach math or science.

The program, called the Crossover Project, is designed to help alleviate the shortage of math and science teachers at a critical educational level, according Mare Taagepera, a UCI chemistry lecturer and co-director of the program.

“Most students are exposed to a systematic study of physical sciences in the middle schools, where very few teachers have a major or minor in the subject area,” Taagepera said. “If taught by less-than-enthusiastic teachers who do not have an understanding of the subject area, students can easily be turned off to both physical sciences and mathematics.”

The project will offer intensive training in trends in math or science education for teachers of other disciplines. Junior high school teams will include four crossover teachers and one master teacher throughout summer institutes, academic year apprenticeships and other activities.

The program grew out of summer education institutes that UCI has offered since 1982 to improve the skills of instructors already teaching math or science.

In addition to Taagepera, project researchers include George Miller, co-director; Larry Chrystal, math lecturer, and Kathy DiRanna, academic coordinator in chemistry. Additional information may be obtained by phoning (714) 856-6390.