Learn in place with Primarily Math online
Along with the support of the Nebraska Math and Science Summer Institutes (NMSSI), UNL’s Primarily Math program is making a renewed commitment to teacher learning at this time of social distancing. Just as much of the nation is expected to shelter in place, we want to encourage teachers to “learn in place.”
While the Primarily Math program was initially open to only ESU 3 and OPS teachers, with the move to all summer courses being offered via remote learning, we have opened the program to all K-3 teachers near the Omaha area.
The first two courses this summer for Primarily Math are Math 800P (offered June 8-17) and Math 801P (June 18-26) and will be offered using remote learning approaches. All tuition is set at the more affordable in-person rate, even though all summer courses are online, and UNL will waive both the University Program and Facilities Fee (UPFF) and the Online Course Fee. Applications for Primarily Math are due May 12, 2020.
Primarily Math consists of six graduate courses. Each course is worth 3 graduate credits at UNL and counts toward a master’s degree. Primarily Math teachers earn a K-3 Mathematics Specialist Certificate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln upon completion of the program.
Primarily Math is for outstanding Nebraska elementary teachers (grades K-3) who accept the challenge to return to graduate school to study mathematics and the teaching of mathematics. The program has been proven to be effective in strengthening teachers’ mathematical and pedagogical knowledge, and in increasing students’ mathematical achievement (see the Impact of Primarily Math for a summary of the research).
The summer courses for Primarily Math are associated with NMSSI and therefore qualify for a 20% tuition discount for Nebraska teachers and additional NMSSI Fellowships. You can apply now for NMSSI Fellowships, and read more about the costs at https://scimath.unl.edu/nmssi/2020/costs/. Coupled with the elimination of the UPFF and online fees, these savings can make graduate courses more affordable.
For application instructions, see the Primarily Math website. Please note for planning purposes that the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 courses will be online (with a few in-person meetings as allowable), and the last two courses in Summer 2021 will meet in person in June for two weeks at the ESU 3 office in La Vista; therefore, you must be willing and able to travel to Omaha when applicable.
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Be a lifelong learner.
Center for Science, Mathematics and Computer Education
nebraskamath@unl.edu