Building Bridges
U.P. Mathematics-Science Partnership (MSP) Grant
for 2005-2006 and 2006-2007
Middle and High School Mathematics Teachers

This grant was awarded through the federal Title II, Part B (1), Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) Competitive Grant program. It is for 24 months and includes the five Mathematics and Science Centers in the Upper Peninsula, Northern Michigan University, Lake Superior State University and Michigan Technological University. It will provide middle school and high school teachers with an intense and sustained professional development program in mathematics. Approximately 100 teachers throughout the Upper Peninsula are participating in this grant

Participating Districts (Seaborg Center):
Burt Township School District
Father Marquette Catholic Central School System
Gwinn Area Community Schools
Ishpeming Public School District
Marquette Area Public Schools
Munising Public Schools
Negaunee Public Schools
NICE Community Schools

Total: 20 middle and high school mathematics teachers from Marquette and Alger counties

The purpose of this grant is to create a professional development model which will lead to improved student achievement in mathematics. This model will address the critical need for teachers to work in collaboration, to focus on data-identified content needs in mathematics and to examine instructional practices.

• This grant will create mathematics learning communities which focus on professional development in mathematics for teachers in middle school and high school.
• The grant requires 10 days of professional development per year including:
  • lesson study process
  • survey of enacted curriculum
  • data-sharing/ learning community workshops
  • content-specific workshops or optional university courses
  • summer institutes

The content-specific workshops, university courses and institutes will center on math strands identified as weak by MEAP data analysis for participating schools. Teachers who participate in the program will learn to use appropriate data to create school improvement goals which focus on student achievement in mathematics

Targeted mathematic strands (chosen from analysis of MEAP results):
Middle School - numerical and algebraic operations, analytical thinking, probability and discrete mathematics
High School - geometry and measurement, VI, probability and discrete mathematics

Summer Institute:
2007 Summer institute at Northern Michigan University : MA- 591: Algebra
This institute is a hands-on workshop that provides an opportunity for teachers to deepen their understanding of algebra across the 8-12 curriculum.

Contact:
Ann Joyal, Director
Seaborg Mathematics and Science Center - NMU
Phone: 906-227-2092 or Office: 906-227-2002
E-mail: ajoyal@nmu.edu