Mathematics K-12 Outreach
Professional Development for Teachers of Mathematics K-12
AP Summer WorkshopsPurdue University hosts summer workshops for Advanced Placement teachers in Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences. The goal of the AP Summer Program is to prepare high school teachers to deliver AP courses through a wide variety of classroom and laboratory hands-on exercises. Particular attention is placed to matching course content and activities with requirements for AP courses.
Classroom ManagementThis is a discussion-based workshop that provides information about effective strategies for setting classroom expectations, working with students, and managing time.
Focus on ScienceFocus on Science is a full week of hands-on mathematics and science activities for elementary and middle schools. The program seeks to excite and enlighten students about the importance of science in their daily lives. It exposes teachers to classroom activities that combine excitement, cooperative learning, and hands-on activities with real-world relevance. Activities for the week can include a convocation on science demonstrations and evening parent-student hands-on activities. In-service programs are also available which provide teachers with classroom activities demonstrated by outreach coordinators and training to be able to present these activities in the future.
Implementing Scientific Probes in Your Math ClassScientific probes offer an inexpensive way to include hands-on laboratory activities and a variety of technology in your classroom. Teachers will be trained to use Vernier Probeware with computers, graphing calculators, and handheld computers (PDAs). Laboratory experiments will be available for teachers. Teachers are strongly encouraged to adapt current classroom activities to use scientific probes, computers, graphing calculators, and PDAs. Effective use of the mentioned technology meets Indiana Academic Standards, saves time, increases student interest, and advances student problem-solving ability.
Indiana Department of Education WebsiteThe Indiana Department of Education website is an excellent resource for teachers which includes information about state academic standards, individual school test results, standards-based lesson plans and resources, and internet resources for math teachers. This workshop introduces and explores key parts of the website that teachers can use in their classrooms. The workshop includes time for teachers to explore the internet resources and develop lessons and classroom activities.
Inquiry Learning in the Mathematics and Science ClassroomThis program introduces teachers to the concept and structure of inquiry-learning, provides a variety of sample inquiry activities, and offers an opportunity for teachers to modify a component of their current curriculum to include more inquiry.
Less is More, Unburdening Your CurriculumThis workshop discusses the consequences and challenges of an overfull curriculum and presents strategies for trimming nonessentials.
Money, That's What I WantThrough a partnership with Economics Education at Purdue University, teachers can obtain materials and be trained on integrating real-life economics examples into existing mathematics lessons. Expenses in owning a car, managing a credit card, and using the concept of slope to understand supply and demand curves are just a few of the possible topics that can be used in mathematics classrooms. Ideally, teachers could adapt current lessons to use these real-life examples.
If you are interested in these existing professional development opportunities or if you have other areas of professional development that you would like to discuss, please contact:
Bill Walker
Director of Science K-12 Outreach
Mathematical Sciences Building
150 N. University Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2067
Phone: 765-494-5890
wswalker@purdue.edu