On-Line Course in Math and Science for Middle Grade Girls

From: PFleming@edc.org
Date: Tue Sep 28 1999 - 12:38:01 EDT


The WEEA Equity Resource Center and New England Comprehensive Assistance
Center's inspiring on-line course,
ENGAGING MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS IN MATH AND SCIENCE,

is being offered again beginning October 18.
Register by October 8 at <www.edc.org/WomensEquity>

This on-line course will explore ways of creating classroom environments that
are supportive of girls' successes in math and science. Building on what
teachers already know about good instructional practice, this course will attend
to the unique social and academic needs of girls at this point in their
development. The long term goal of this course is to understand ways to increase
the interest of middle school girls in math and science, affect their
achievement levels so that they continue to pursue math and science courses in
high school, and provide them with the foundation to pursue a variety of options
at the college level. The math and science focus of this on-line course builds
on the premise that these disciplines represent useful skills and approaches to
addressing life experiences regardless of whether they lead to careers in these
fields.

Specifically, participants in the course will:

- explore the out-of-awareness biases into which we are socialized and that
permeate instructional practice
- examine hidden gender-based assumptions in the MST curriculum
- examine good instructional practice that attends to the unique needs of
students who are girls of color, English Language Learners (ELL) and/or
have disabilities
- explore resources such as tools, materials, and role models, that will allow
teachers to be more inclusive in their representation of good math,
science, and technology practices
- learn how to build family and community support that values girls' successes
in math, science, and technology

Explore the subject with colleagues. Share research information, reflective
exercises, and lots of good discussions.

The course will be offered over a nine week period, with each of eight class
sessions posted for two weeks at a time. The eight sessions are as
follows:

Gender in math and science classrooms (Oct. 18 -Oct. 31)
Equitable expectations and interactions (Oct. 25 - Nov. 7)
Equitable teaching strategies (Nov. 1 - Nov. 14)
Counteracting bias in math and science curricula (Nov. 8 - Nov. 21)
Equity in assessment (Nov. 15 - Nov. 28)
Power, empowerment and competence (Nov. 22 - Dec. 5)
Family and community support (Nov. 29 - Dec. 12)
Final student presentations (Dec. 6 - Dec. 17)

All you need to participate is access to the Internet, an e-mail address, and
your commitment to girls' success in math and science. We encourage 2 or more
teachers from the same school to participate as a team.

Start date: The week of October 18, 1999
Course length: Nine weeks (from October 18 through December 17, 1999);
comparable to a 16 hour course
Course commitments:
1) a minimum of 2 hours on-line per session;
2) prepare and present a final project on-line; and
3) participate in an on-going evaluation of the course.

To obtain PDP credits, participants are required to post at least one message
per session, present the final project, and complete an evaluation of the
course. PDPs are available for Massachusetts and other New England
States. If you are interested in obtaining them please be sure to indicate that
on the registration form.
           
Fee: $80 for individual registrations
     $60 per individual for team registrations
Includes course material.
           
Enrollment: Limited to 20

Registration deadline: October 8, 1999

Register at: <www.edc.org/WomensEquity>.
           
For more information, call Susan Carter at (800) 225-3088
or e-mail Maria-Paz Avery at MAvery@edc.org



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