Current and Recent Outreach Programs and Activities
Center for the Mathematics Education of Latinos/as
(CEMELA)
The NSF-funded Center for the Mathematics Education of Latinos/as
(CEMELA) is an interdisciplinary, multi-university consortium
(The University of Arizona, University of California Santa Cruz,
University of Illinois at Chicago, The University of New Mexico) focused
on the research and practice of the teaching of mathematics to Latino/a
students in the United States. CEMELA brings together together experts
in mathematics education, mathematics, language, and culture to
collaboratively work on improving the mathematics education of
low-income Latino/a students. CEMELA aims to understand the interplay
of mathematics education and the unique language, social, and
political issues that affect Latino/a communities. CEMELA's
holistic approach involves the various interested parties in the
education of children: parents, school administrators, and teachers.
CEMELA will be relevant not only to Latinos/as but also to other groups
of linguistically and culturally diverse students through the
development of theory and practice for how to turn language and cultural
diversity into educational assets for the mathematics education of
all students.
Center for Recruitment and Retention of Mathematics
Teachers (CRR)
The Center for Recruitment and Retention of Mathematics Teachers
at the University of Arizona was created in August, 2001 to
address the shortage of qualified mathematics teachers at the
middle and high school levels. Its goal is to attract college
students into mathematics education and to retain those currently
in the field.
Teacher Improvement through Mathematics Education (TIMEx3)
The third in a series of Mathematics and Science Partnerships (MSPs)
between the University of Arizona Mathematics Department and the
Tucson Unified School District, the TIME grants support intensive and
sustained teacher professional development in mathematics at the K-8
level.
Girls in the SYSTEM (1999-2003)
Girls in the SYSTEM is an NSF-funded project. It brings together
five departments of the University of Arizona (Ecology and
Evolutionary Biology, Materials Science and Engineering, Mathematics,
Mining and Geological Engineering and the Southwest Institute for
Research on Women in the Women's Studies Department) and the Sahuaro
Girl Scout Council with the goal of improving science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for girls in grades 3 - 8,
especially Mexican American, Native American and economically
underprivileged girls in southern Arizona...
Math and Parent Partnership with Sunnyside (MAPPS) (1999-2005)
MAPPS is a four-year project to engage parents in school mathematics.
It began in the fall of 1999 and is funded by the National Science
Foundation. The project is administered by the Department of
Mathematics at the University of Arizona...
Project Bridge (1996-2000)
This study emphasizes mathematics teaching that stresses students'
own construction of meaning and connections to their world outside
school. The study develops mathematical learning communities through
learning modules that capitalize on the experiences of everyday life.
In addition, students engage in doing mathematics "like mathematicians
do"...
Other outreach programs and activities within AZ Math Dept.