Meeting a Critical Need
Addressing a critical nationwide shortage of certified math and science teachers, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi recently opened a cutting-edge facility to train and develop the teachers of tomorrow.
The $3 million Math and Science Resource Center was officially dedicated in February. U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison was a featured speaker at the dedication. Located adjacent to the University’s Early Childhood Development Center, the almost entirely donor-funded center features science and math labs, an interactive children’s discovery lab, classrooms, a wet lab and various exhibit areas. Donors who made the training facility possible include the Blanche Davis Moore Foundation, the Houston Endowment and private donor John Chapman.
Interactive activities encourage children to participate in math and science learning.
Plans also call for students to participate in off-site field trips to study the region’s flora and fauna at Corpus Christi Bay and area wetlands. Also in the future, an outdoor hands-on laboratory where schoolchildren at all grade levels can learn about air, water and soil through interactive “nodes” is being planned.
In addition to training the teachers of the future, University officials anticipate offering continuing education opportunities for current math and science teachers. Special emphasis will be placed upon helping education majors to prepare for certification in their field of specialty and to encourage high school and college students to consider a teaching career.
Statistics provided by the State Board of Education Certification reveal that 2,900 math teachers and 2,505 science teachers retired or left the teaching profession one recent year in Texas alone. Additionally, 55 percent of middle school teachers and 35 percent of high school math teachers were not certified in math. Secondary school teachers without science certification included 54 percent of middle school teachers and 51 percent of high school teachers.
Science and math labs will bring
subjects to life at the Math and
Science Resource Center
The lack of certified math and science teachers has far-reaching implications in the classroom. Studies have shown that elementary school-aged children tend to do well in math and science but begin to fall behind by middle and high school. Educators who obtain certification status deepen their own understanding of complex subjects and consequently are better able to communicate and interact with their students.The mathematical professional development courses at the center will train educators to show students how they can use math in real-life everyday situations. Practicing teachers will participate in workshops on in-service days, during the summer break and on Saturdays. Classroom teachers will also have the option to work extensively with the University’s science and mathematics faculty through one-week and semester-long workshops. Additionally, students on campus will use the center throughout various stages of their education at the University.
By the Numbers Number of math teachers who retired or left the profession in one recent year Number of science teachers who retired or left the profession in one recent year
55%/ 35% Percentage of middle/high school math teachers not certified in that specialty
54%/ 51% Percentage of middle/ secondary science teachers not certified in that specialty
The Math and Science Resource Center will emphasize educational opportunities for math and
science teachers.President's Report
2006
