Faculty in the Center for Science, Mathematics, and Computer Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are excited to announce a Mathematical Association of America-Neff Middle School Partnership grant to collaborate with 12 middle school mathematics teachers in rural Nebraska. The focus will be on mathematical modeling: co-planning, individually teaching, then collectively reflecting on middle school math modeling tasks. We are currently recruiting teachers to participate during the 2025-2026 school year!
What we're asking from participants (teachers of 5th-9th grade math):
- Attend four 90-min online meetings (late afternoon/early evening, spread across the 2025-26 school year); the meetings will involve learning more about and co-planning (then reflecting on) a modeling lesson for your students
- Teach the math modeling lesson you co-plan with this group during your normal math class(es) in Winter 2025/early Spring 2026
- Attend an in-person meeting in Kearney held in conjunction with the Nebraska Association of Teachers of Mathematics (NATM) Conference in October 2025
- Complete brief pre/post surveys about math modeling and your experience in this partnership
- Optional: submit a group presentation to lead an NATM session about math modeling for Fall 2026
What you'll get:
- Fun chances to interact with other middle school math teachers across Nebraska and UNL math professors around math modeling
- Resources for engaging middle school students in math modeling
- $30/hour for all meetings plus a $100 stipend for implementing tasks and sharing examples of student work
- $15 meal gift card to account for any meetings occurring during the evening
- Funds to attend NATM in 2025
- Opportunities for continued partnerships and collaborations!
Please email Amy Bennett at abennett14@nebraska.edu if you are interested in participating!