Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education (CRMSE)

CRMSE is an interdisciplinary community of scholars at SDSU who seek to advance mathematics and science education, by providing leadership in research into the teaching and learning of mathematics and science, as well as professional and program development.

San Diego State University
Established: 1986

http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/CRMSE/

Profile submitted by Nadine Bezuk

Vision and Goals

The vision of Center for Research in Mathematics & Science Education (CRMSE) at San Diego State University (SDSU) is to serve as a prime research and development engine for Science and Mathematics Education at the local, state, and national levels.

Center/Program Structure

CRMSE is housed jointly by the College of Sciences and College of Education at SDSU. CRMSE's members include faculty from the departments of Mathematics and Statistics, Biology, Physics, and Psychology in the College of Sciences, and from the School of Teacher Education in the College of Education. The majority of the funding for CRMSE comes from external grants. CRMSE is led by a Director and an Associate Director, both of whom are SDSU faculty and serve half-time in these roles. We have one full-time staff person and currently have 27 full members (who are SDSU faculty) and 33 associate members, including research and project staff and doctoral students.

Description of Programming

One of our far-reaching programs is the Professional Development Collaborative (PDC). Since 2000, we have had partnerships with 9 different school districts, providing professional development to more than 4,000 K-12 teachers. In addition our faculty who developed mathematics specialist certificates for teachers in grades K – 3 and 4 -6 that has been influential in the development of a mathematics specialist certificate at the state level.

Our Ph.D. Program in Mathematics and Science Education (MSED), jointly sponsored by SDSU and UCSD, develops leaders of mathematics and science education at all levels of learning. Because our students all have graduate degrees in mathematics, we have a set of faculty and students focused on researching undergraduate mathematics education, which complements our work in K-12 STEM education.

We currently have four formal initiatives: (1) Lab Zone, (2) the CRMSE Innovation Lab, (3) public education and (4) developing a graduate program on informal math and science education. The following briefly describes each initiative.

  1. The Lab Zone is an after-school math and science enrichment program at a local Boys & Girls Club, staffed by undergraduate SDSU students. This program gives SDSU students an opportunity to explore the benefits of a career in math or science education while providing engaging, enriching experiences for youth.
  2. The CRMSE Innovation Lab provides math and science education and technology resources for faculty and SDSU students, as well as for local K-12 teachers.
  3. Public education is addressed with the STEM Education, Economics, and Equity (SEEE) Seminars, held twice each year and attended by local community members, K-12 teachers and students, and CRMSE members.

Successes and Impacts

Perhaps our greatest success to-date has been the STEM Education, Economics, and Equity (SEEE) Seminar Series. We have held 10 seminars over the past five years, and attendance has reached more than 300 people, bringing together people from a range of backgrounds to consider important issues in mathematics and science education related to equity and economics. The evaluation of this program has indicated that a majority of participants have increased their knowledge, understanding and perspectives about a topic as a result of attending the Seminars.

Elements Contributing to Success

  • Support of the deans of the College of Sciences and the College of Education, along with the Provost.
  • A critical mass of outstanding faculty, including 13 math educators (7-6 in each college), 6 science educators (3 in each college), and 5 psychologists (3-2 in each college).
  • Opportunities for collaboration because of shared physical space and graduate students in doctoral program and through our seminar and colloquia series.
  • Success in writing grants to support our research.