University of Connecticut Programs

1. Project M 3 – Mentoring Mathematical Minds. Currently used in 43 states, Canada , the Ne the rlands and Singapore , Project M 3 steers often-overlooked students from low income and minority backgrounds into advanced math classes. During this five year project (2002-2007), the research team led by Kathy Gavin, associate professor in the Neag School of Education, developed and published new math curriculum units for grades 3, 4 and 5 and provided ongoing teacher professional development. Field test results consistently showed significant gains on the criterion-referenced unit tests. In addition, project students, the majority of whom come from at-risk populations in 11 schools in Connecticut and Kentucky , made statistically significant gains on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills and open-ended items from the NAEP and TIMSS assessments.  Moreover, Project M3 students consistently out-performed a comparison group on the ITBS and the open-ended assessments.  Teachers' expectations of students, especially those in low SES schools, have increased significantly since the y now realize the ir students are much more capable of high level ma the matics than the y ever realized.  Contact: Kathy McDermott, program coordinator: (860) 486-8881 or email: projectm3@uconn.edu. www.gifted.uconn.edu/projectm3/
   
    
2. Project M 2 – Mentoring Young Mathematicians (Advanced Curriculum for Primary Level Students). Building on the successes of Project M 3 (explained above) Neag Professor Kathy Gavin and Tutita Casa have been awarded a new five year (2007-2012) $2,000,000 National Science Foundation grant to develop and field test curriculum units in geometry and measurement for grades K-2. The goals of the project are to increase the ma the matic achievement of all students in grades K-2; develop students' understanding of targeted ma the matical content and processes; target the participation of traditionally underrepresented students in advanced ma the matics curriculum; integrate and support young students' real-world experiences with ma the matics and science. Contact: Kathy McDermott, program coordinator: (860) 486-8881 or projectm3@uconn.edu or www.gifted.uconn.edu/projectm3/
   
    
3. Raising Expectations for All English Language Learners (REALL). Eliana Rojas, Assistant Professor of the Neag School of Education's Bilingual/Multi-Cultural Education program, believes students learn ma the matics better when taught in the ir native language, and she has federal backing to put her the ory into practice. The U.S. Department of Education recently awarded Rojas a $1.5 million grant “to prepare teachers of English Language Learners to accelerate the ir students' academic achievement by focusing on the preparation and professional development of bilingual and Teachers of English to Speakers of O the r Languages (TESOL) math teachers, in order to provide appropriate and effective instruction to adolescents who are learning the English language. Contact: Carissa Rutkauskas, (860) 486-5103 or bilingual@uconn.edu 
    
4. Teachers for a New Era: UCONN Carnegie Corporation $5 million grant. UCONN is one of 11 recipients nationwide that will foster innovative programs that will inform curriculum development and evaluation of teacher preparation. The intended result of this program will be better prepared teachers who will have a profound impact on the academic achievement of K-12 pupils across the state and throughout the nation. Contact: Donalyn Maneggia at 860-486-1407
   
    
5. Technology Enhanced Science Education in Middle School. Neag School science educators John Settlage and David Moss have received funding through a U.S. Dept. of Education grant evaluate new middle school science curricula using state-of the-art computer simulation technology. Contact: John Settlage (860)486-1151 or john.settlage@uconn.edu
   
    
6. UCONN Mentor Connection. For nine years, the UCONN Mentor Connection has been bringing about 70 of Connecticut 's bright high school students to campus for three weeks during the summer. Each student works side-by-side with a university faculty member for real world experience in developing creative projects and conducting scientific investigations. Many of the students are from the state's priority school districts. Contact: Heather Spottiswoode: (860) 486-0283 or mentorconnection@uconn.edu
    
7. Justification and Argumentation: Growing Understanding of Algebraic Reasoning (JAGUAR) National Science Foundation, REESE Program, Category B, Contextual Research Award $193,963. (Part of a three year collaborative grant project ending in 12/2011 with S. Larsen and E. Thanheiser (Portland University) and J. Newton (Purdue University and University of Connecticut). Total award: $833,311. The main goal of the project is to understand how teachers 1) develop specific mathematical knowledge (algebraic justification), 2) transform this knowledge to classroom practice, and 3) advance in their pedagogy to promote students' learning. The project will clarify the meaning of justification for school algebra through collaborations among mathematicians, teachers, and mathematics educators. The project focuses on the important and under-explored connection between teachers' mathematical learning in a professional development environment and the subsequent a) changes in their teaching practice and b) continued deepening of their content knowledge in practice. Additionally, by working with a select group of exemplary teachers, the project explores the development of advanced inquiry teaching, namely teaching that supports students' mathematics learning via justification activities. Contact Megan Staples megan.staples@uconn.edu  (Principal Investigator) or 860-486-0280.

CT Academy for Education | CT STEM-Related Educational Asset Directory