Regional center at UTM enhances teaching

Posted: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 11:36 am

The Messenger 07.21.10
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics educators in the region now have a center and online resources to enhance and support teaching in these subject areas.
The West Tennessee Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Center for Learning at the University of Tennessee at Martin is designing, organizing and promoting professional development initiatives for area pre-kindergarten-college teachers and also supporting existing undergraduate and graduate programs in STEM education.
A center website — www.utm.edu/departments/stem — provides a clearinghouse for STEM activities and information. Teachers can network, share best practices and learn about resources, grant activity information, contests and STEM-related current events.
“As a part of a national and state emphasis, we are proud to provide active support for STEM areas, including teacher training and student learning,” UT Martin Chancellor Tom Rakes said.
“The STEM Center is a focused effort to help build student interest and competency in essential areas of study.”
The center is directed by Dr. Stephanie Kolitsch, UT Martin professor of mathematics, and is located at 227 Hall-Moody Administration Building on campus.
“The importance of knowledge in STEM fields cannot be overemphasized,” Kolitsch said. “UT Martin has talented faculty, staff and students working together to provide leadership in STEM education and research.
The West Tennessee STEM Center for Learning will provide a focal point for these efforts and for collaborative efforts with the community.”
The center also will promote collaboration among UT Martin faculty, other universities, businesses and agencies in STEM-related fields and support STEM-related research. Additionally, pre-kindergarten-college students will be encouraged to learn and apply math and science concepts, which, in turn, will impact the future by better preparing a skilled and capable workforce.
“I am excited that the new STEM Center will provide an opportunity for faculty within the STEM disciplines, as well as across the campus, to collaborate on helping to improve the STEM awareness and education for the West Tennessee region,” said Dr. Richard Helgeson, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences interim dean.
For more information about the new center at UT Martin, contact Kolitsch at (731) 881-7477.

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