15 Years of the Nebraska Math and Science Summer Institutes
Planning for the 2022 Nebraska Math and Science Summer Institutes is now in full swing. This coming summer will mark 15 years of offering summer graduate courses to K–12 teachers with a commitment to discounted tuition rates for classroom teachers in Nebraska.
I am writing today to ask for your help in continuing to offer tuition fellowships to teachers to further reduce the cost of graduate education.
My heroes have always been teachers. I have witnessed firsthand the dedication of teachers in our programs and graduate courses. I am confident that investing in professional development opportunities for teachers is the right approach if we want to improve mathematics learning in our Nebraska schools. What we have accomplished began with our NSF grant Math in the Middle and the inspiring teachers who were part of that program. Fifteen years ago, we created the NMSSI to sustain and institutionalize this curriculum for teachers. Our response to the pandemic has increased our capacity to reach teachers by offering web conferencing courses.
Nearly 2,000 Nebraska teachers have completed a course through the NMSSI or participated in a NebraskaMATH program, all benefiting from either the NMSSI tuition discount, grant-funded tuition, or a supplemental fellowship from one of our University of Foundation funds. You can support us now by donating to one of these important Foundation funds, which support tuition fellowships for teachers who take our courses:
Math Teachers for the 21st Century Expendable Fund: https://nufoundation.org/fund/01119180/
Science Teachers for the 21st Century Expendable Fund: https://nufoundation.org/fund/01119720/
Whether you are able to give $5 or $500, funds received through the Foundation will help cover tuition costs for teachers enrolled in an NMSSI course. By investing in Nebraska’s teachers, you are helping us strengthen mathematics and science education for Nebraska’s students.
Here are some other ways to get involved:
1. Spread the word: Forward this email to your colleagues to tell them about Giving Tuesday and invite them to support their fellow teachers.
2. Follow us on Twitter (@NebraskaMATH), and share your support using the hashtag #GivingTuesday.
Also, we look forward to seeing you in person this February 2022, at the third Nebraska Summit on Math and Science Education, at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center. Register now at: https://go.unl.edu/2022-summit-csmce.
Thank you for your continued support of the Center for Science, Mathematics, and Computer Education.
- Jim Lewis, CSMCE Director