Center for Mathematics & Science Education (CMSE)

The Center for Mathematics and Science Education (CMSE) is an academic support unit dedicated to increasing the understanding of mathematics and science at all age levels, both through enhancing education and for a more informed society.

College of Natural Sciences, California State University-Chico
Established: 1993
http://www.csuchico.edu/cmse

Profile submitted by Brandi Aranguren

Vision and Goals

The Center for Mathematics and Science Education (CMSE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the students and faculty of California State University, Chico and specifically the College of Natural Sciences faculty in their efforts to increase the understanding of mathematics and science at all age levels. CMSE supports projects and programs promoting mathematics and science education for Northern California educators and students.

Center/Program Structure

The Center for Mathematics & Science Education (CMSE) is a Center of Excellence within the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico. CMSE is partially supported through the college and largely supported through externally funded grant and contract opportunities. CMSE supports the outreach and scholarship activities of college faculty interested in working with K-12 education agencies, students and educators.

CMSE has an administrator as the Managing Director of the Center and all program oversight. One Mathematics Education faculty member and one Science Education faculty member act as quarter-time content specialists in conjunction with the Managing Director. The support staff includes one three-quarter time grant funded Project Assistant, one full-time state Administrative Coordinator, and various student assistants. All other staff are directly hired for programs and specific content needs.

Description of Programming

The Center for Mathematics & Science Education (CMSE) supports three levels of programming.

  1. Field trip and Hands-On Math and Science programs for K-12 students to experience the university and build interest/excitement for STEM.
  2. Recruitment and support of university students to prepare for successful and exemplary teaching careers in K-12, specifically secondary mathematics and science.
  3. Provide content and pedagogical professional development programs for Northern California K-12 teachers.
One successful program include the Science Hands-On Teaching Lab in which prospective elementary school teachers have the opportunity to interact with 4th-6th grade students in a safe and predictable environment to build self efficacy. Studies have shown those having participated are more excited about teaching science in their classrooms as teachers. It also offers the elementary students an exciting hands-on science experience, and the teachers of these students have lesson extensions to take away from the on campus experience.

Successes and Impacts

The Center for Mathematics & Science Education (CMSE) provides content and pedagogical professional development to hundreds of K-12 teachers each year. There are typically six to eight different programs each summer and multi-year programs through the academic year.

CMSE supports and houses the California Subject Matter Projects for Chico Math Project and Inland Northern Science Project and these programs primarily provide content assistance to teachers. CMSE has also been the professional development provider for five California Math and Science Partnership (CaMSP) grants in the past eight years, providing long term development to over 300 teachers.

Elements Contributing to Success

The Center could not exist without the support of the College of Natural Sciences and CSU, Chico at large. The administrative support allows for the infrastructure necessary to provide the opportunities available to K-12 students and teachers, as well as the college faculty involved in the scholarship and outreach efforts.