News & Professional Opportunities
ATOMIM Offers Algebra Readiness Discussion Series (12/20/11)
ATOMIM, the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in Maine, will be holding a series of “Dine and Discuss” events on the topic of Algebra readiness.
This series is aimed at helping teachers of grades 3 through 7 understand how to prepare their students for success in algebra, provide opportunities for building algebraic thinking, generate ideas for interventions and assessment strategies, and connect to the Common Core Mathematics Standards and Practices.
Upcoming sessions are planned for:
- Jan 5, 2012 - 4 pm: University of Maine, Presque Isle – Campus Center
- Jan 23, 2012 - 4 pm: Lyman Moore Middle School, Portland
- Jan 26, 2012 - 4 pm: Wentworth Intermediate School, Scarborough
- Feb 9, 2012 - 4 pm: Oxford Elementary School, Oxford
For more information and to register, visit the ATOMIM website.
View more Mathematics news at the MDOE Newsroom.
Three Maine Teachers Finalists for Science, Math Awards (9/7/11)
Two science teachers and one math teacher from Maine have been announced as finalists for the 2011 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The National Science Foundation, which is known for its rigorous selection process, will select up to one mathematics and one science winner per state to be recognized next spring in Washington, D.C.
The three Maine teachers are: Diana Jacobe, a math teacher at Bonny Eagle High School in Standish; Bonnie Burne, a 7th grade teacher at Pemetic Elementary School in Southwest Harbor; and Ken Vencile, a biology teacher at Camden Hills Regional High School.
Read more.
Release of Mathematics Content Specifications from SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (8/31/11)
SMARTER Balanced has announced that the Consortium’s draft content specifications for math are available for review. Like the ELA/literacy content specifications released earlier this month, organizations and interested stakeholders will have two opportunities to comment on the math document. Feedback on the first draft of the math content specifications will be accepted through September 19 (11:59 p.m. Pacific time). A revised draft will be released in October.
Once finalized, the content specifications for math and ELA/literacy will serve as the basis for the SMARTER Balanced system of summative and interim assessments and its formative assessment support for teachers.
The math content specifications materials are available at: http://www.k12.wa.us/SMARTER/Resources.aspx. Instructions on how to provide feedback through online surveys for both individual reviewers and groups, and a link to the math content specifications webinar, will be posted at the same location soon.
SMARTER Balanced is committed to keeping our partners and stakeholders informed about the Consortium’s work, and to providing opportunities for input. Again, thank you for your support and feedback as we continue to collaborate on the development of our assessment system.
New Bill Pushes Science, Math Education (6/15/11)
Gov. Paul LePage signed into law this week legislation that will bolster Maine’s efforts to strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education from pre-kindergarten to the post-secondary level.
The new law creates a STEM council that includes teachers, state government, higher education and the private sector. The goal is to give Maine students and Maine’s economy a leg up by encouraging more students to enter STEM fields.
The Maine Department of Education has made STEM education a top priority for some time and the new law builds on that work. The Department established an internal STEM team that includes science, math, Career and Technical Education and Maine Learning Technology Initiative staff, to integrate STEM education across all content areas. The team has worked extensively with other organizations and businesses in Maine to advance STEM education.
Click here to read the full article.
Michele Mailhot of the Maine DOE to Host Upcoming Webinar Series (3/1/11)
The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics: Looking at the Standards through the Lenses of the 8 Mathematical Practices
A series of four webinars are planned for developing a better understanding of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. These webinars will be grade span specific: Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, and High School. Districts are encouraged to have curriculum leaders and teachers and from each level participate. District participation will create a K-12 continuum of the 8 Mathematical Practices and CCSS.
Each webinar will look at alignment of the eight Mathematical Practices to the Common Core State Standards. This will help make connections of the “how” and the “what” students will be held accountable for.
Webinar dates and connection information is below:
Grades K-2: March 15th 3:00 – 4:00 pm – http://stateofmaine.na4.acrobat.com/ccssmk2/
Grades 3-5: March 16th 3:00 – 4:00 pm – http://stateofmaine.na4.acrobat.com/ccssm35/
Grades 6-8: March 29th 3:00 – 4:00 pm – http://stateofmaine.na4.acrobat.com/ccssm68/
High School: March 31st 3:00 – 4:00 pm – http://stateofmaine.na4.acrobat.com/ccssmhs/
The 2009 PAEMST Awardees (6/8/10)
WASHINGTON, DC -- President Obama today named 103 mathematics and science teachers from across the country as recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The educators will receive their awards in Washington, D.C. later this year.
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is awarded annually to the best pre-college-level science and mathematics teachers from across the country. The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators following an initial selection process done at the state level. Each year the award alternates between mathematics and science teachers teaching Kindergarten through 6th grade, and those teaching 7th through 12th grades. This year it goes to teachers teaching 7th through 12th grades.
Winners of this Presidential honor receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion. They also receive an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for an awards ceremony and several days of educational and celebratory events, including visits with members of Congress and science agency leaders.
Last spring at the National Academy of Sciences, President Obama called on all Americans to join the effort to elevate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education as a national priority. The President’s public-private “Educate to Innovate” initiative, which was launched last fall, has attracted more than $500 million in donations and in-kind support from corporations, philanthropies, service organizations, and others to help inspire students to pursue studies and careers in math and science. Last month, Cabinet officials and others in the Federal government answered the President’s call to action by volunteering in local classrooms as part of National Lab Day, a nationwide initiative to build local communities of support for teachers and students studying mathematics and science.
“Science and technology have long been at the core of America’s strength and competitiveness, and the scientists and engineers who have led America on its remarkable path to success share something very precious: science and math teachers who brought these critical subjects to life,” said President Obama. “Today we honor some of the best of these teachers and thank them for their dedication. They are inspirations not just to their students, but to the Nation and the world.”
The award recipients for Maine are:
Shawn Towle of Falmouth - Presidential Awardee for Mathematics
Maria Palopoli of Brunswick - Presidential Awardee for Science
Congratilations to Shawn and Maria, and to all of the 2009 nominees!
For more information about the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, go online to www.paemst.org.
The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics Now Available Online (6/2/10)
The Common core State Standards were released on June 2, 2010. Click here for more information about the Common Core Standards. To review the Mathematics standards, click here, or go online to http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/math/standards.html.
Intel Schools of Distinction
Every year, Intel honors U.S. schools that demonstrate 21st century teaching and learning environments that promote excellence in math and science with the Intel Schools of Distinction awards. To be considered, schools must develop an environment and curricula that meet or exceed benchmarks put forth by national mathematics and science content standards.
Recognition of Excellence
Every year, Intel honors U.S. schools that have demonstrated excellence in math and science education as Intel Schools of Distinction. Up to three schools will be named as finalists in each level: elementary, middle, and high school within the two categories of math and science, receiving a cash grant for $2,500 from the Intel Foundation. Six winners will be selected from the finalists and one of these winners will be selected as the "Star Innovator".
Finalists, Winners and the Star Innovator will all receive a cash grant from the Intel Foundation. Finalists will receive a $2500 grant, Winners a $10,000 grant with the Star Innovator receiving a $25,000 grant. In addition program sponsors will provide products and services to the 5 Winner schools and the Star Innovator.
Inspire tomorrow's Scientists and Mathematicians
Successful math programs and science programs serve as models for schools across the country. By replicating proven programs, schools everywhere can reinvigorate their own mathematics and science programs, inspiring generations of future scientists and mathematicians.
Click here for more information. (2/5/10)
The Maine Space Grant Consortium (MSGC)
MSGC provides funds to support a limited number of summer research internships for highly motivated Maine high school juniors and secondary (grade 6-12) teachers for the summer of 2010.
Click here for more information (PDF)
MSGC Programs website
Presidential Awards for Excellence
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is considered the nation’s highest honor in mathematics and science teaching in the United States.
The winner of the 2008 Presidential Award for Mathematics Teaching is Kimberly Spencer of Yarmouth Elementary School. Congratulations!
We are pleased to announce that the recognition activities for the Presidential Awards program will be held January 4 through January 7, 2010, in Washington, DC. The National Science Foundation (NSF) will be honoring highly qualified Mathematics and Science teachers of grades K- 6.
This year’s (2010) awards are limited to teachers of mathematics and science kindergarten through grade 6. Nominees must be full-time employees of the school or school district. Teachers can self-nominate for this award, but your nomination of a high-quality math or science teacher is one way of saying, “we recognize and appreciate what you do.”
Ongoing
Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance Professional Development Offerings
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Updated 12/21/11 -pb
