FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, Nov. 17, 2006
Contact:
Dave Wellman, Director of
Communications (304) 696-7153
Marshall
University launches program
to enhance math, science education in
preK-12
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Teachers in five West Virginia counties will receive training from Marshall University math and science faculty under a $2 million federal grant.
The grant from the National Science Foundation comes to Marshall through the Appalachian Math and Science Partnership (AMSP), a five-year, multi-state, $24.5 million program administered by the University of Kentucky. It is designed to help teachers in the Mountain State’s preK-12 schools improve the performance of their pupils in math and science and prepare them better for college-level courses for eventual careers in math, science and engineering fields.
“Marshall University is proud and eager to join with the members of the Appalachian Math and Science Partnership to advance the goals of this important program,” said Stephen J. Kopp, president of Marshall University. “The funding provided by the National Science Foundation is crucial to our collective success. The benefits to preK-12 math and science education will translate to improved student learning and achievement over time. As a nation, if we are to continue as a leader in science and innovation, we simply must do a better job of preparing present and future students to take advantage of the expanding educational and career opportunities in fields that require highly developed scientific/mathematical thinking and application skills.”
Marshall’s program, sought jointly by Marshall and UK officials, is based upon a very successful AMSP mini grant program, the Partnership Enhancement Program (PEP).
“We’re greatly pleased to be able to partner with Marshall University to help improve the math and science educations of West Virginia’s youngsters. Marshall has repeatedly proven itself as an outstanding institution with a deep commitment to the future prosperity of West Virginia,” said Lee T. Todd Jr., president of the University of Kentucky.
Marshall faculty will provide training to math and science teachers in Braxton, Cabell, Mason, Mingo, and Wayne counties via various outreach activities and distance-learning technology, an approach followed by other institutions that are participating in UK’s AMSP.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Marshall University to enhance our public school partnerships, especially in the areas of math and science education,” Marshall Provost Sarah Denman said. “We look forward to working with the five partner counties and are excited to strengthen the outstanding teaching in those schools with stronger linkages with our College of Education and the College of Science.”
In 2002, UK received a $22.5 million NSF grant to establish the AMSP program, to enhance partnerships between its higher education partners and school districts. It set up 11 PEPs to improve mathematics and science education in elementary, middle and secondary students in 51 Appalachian school districts in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. The program’s effectiveness led to its expansion to 22 PEPs and 42 total projects in the region.
For more information, visit http://www.appalmsp.org/.
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