Iowa Science and Mathematics Teacher Educators Gather in Grinnell
Second Annual Event Features Dr. Penny Noyce for Keynote Address
At a time when mathematics and science education is spotlighted as the key to our state's economic future, Iowa educational leaders will come together to discuss essential topics needed in teaching Iowa's future math and science teachers at the second annual Iowa Science and Mathematics Teacher Educators Summit on August 3 at Grinnell College.
Pendred (Penny) Noyce, M.D., trustee of the Noyce Foundation and daughter of Iowa native Robert Noyce, credited for co-inventing the integrated circuit which became the modern microchip, will be this year's keynote speaker. Open to all teacher educators within Iowa, the conference is again sponsored by the Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership (IMSEP).
This will be the second time that mathematics and science instructors from Iowa's institutions of higher learning have gathered together to seek a common vision for the improvement of teacher education in the fields of mathematics and science and to investigate ways for sharing resources to accomplish this vision. The first IMSEP teacher educator Summit, held at Grandview University in fall 2009, spurred new collaborations and work groups dedicated to equipping prospective teachers with the knowledge, skills and insights needed to deliver mathematics and science coursework to today's students.
"This year we have partnered with Grinnell College to offer yet another outstanding lineup of speakers and topics that will touch on all things teacher educators might need to know in shaping tomorrow's teachers," said IMSEP Director Jeff Weld. "And having Dr. Noyce as our keynote speaker on the very campus where her father did his undergrad coursework is quite an honor. If you are a preparer of math or science teachers, this is a summit not to be missed."
This year's summit will feature a pre-event reception, poster presentations, math and science breakout sessions regarding pre-service endorsement changes, how to address equity when teaching diverse students, web tools for problem solving and much more.
Featured keynote speaker Pendred (Penny) Noyce, M.D. was co-principal investigator of the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Massachusetts State Systemic Initiative Program and of PALMS, a $16 million NSF-funded state systemic initiative to improve mathematics, science and technology education in Massachusetts. A graduate from Stanford University School of Medicine, Noyce chairs the board of the Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy in Massachusetts, the Concord Consortium, the Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications (COMAP), TERC (an independent, research-based organization dedicated to engaging and inspiring students through stimulating curricula and programs designed to develop the knowledge and skills through asking questions and solving problems) and the Libra Foundation. She is the author of the soon-to-be-published children's fantasy book, Lost in Lexicon, an Adventure in Words and Numbers.
Headquartered at the Center for Energy and Environmental Education on the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) campus, the Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership (IMSEP) is a collaboration of Iowa's public universities in affiliation with STEM education organizations across Iowa, charged with improving mathematics and science performance of Iowa's K-12 students; preparing more high quality math and science teachers for Iowa's schools; and promoting statewide collaboration and cooperation in STEM education.