CLEMSON — Science, technology, engineering and math teachers will tackle an intensive eight-day training program during the 34th annual SECME Summer Institute at Clemson University, June 23-July 1, 2010.
Sixty teachers from a dozen states and Grand Bahama will attend the institute, which provides professional development for kindergarten-12th grade teachers.
Joining them during the institute will be as many as 20 teams of middle and high school students, all winners of regional engineering contests, who will compete in the design of mousetrap cars — which requires a scientific report, technical drawing and a team interview — and the construction of VEX Robotics, which are built from kits.
The institute is sponsored by SECME Inc., a national nonprofit founded in 1975 as the Southeastern Consortium of Minorities in Engineering, and hosted by Clemson's College of Engineering and Science and Diversity Office. SECME's mission is to increase the pool of historically under-represented students who are prepared to college studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
"STEM education has taken on increased importance as Americans compete for 21st century jobs," said Randy Collins, associate dean for undergraduate and international studies in Clemson's College of Engineering and Science. "Programs like the SECME Summer Institute are vital to helping teachers and students better prepare for scientific and technical disciplines. We're excited to host educators, students and SECME partners."
Instructors for the institute come from SECME member universities, industrial partners, and "master teachers" recruited from member school systems. Clemson is one of 39 engineering universities in the consortium, which also includes 40 school systems in 15 states, the District of Columbia and Grand Bahama.
Faculty and staff from Clemson's College of Engineering and Science, School of Education and Diversity Office will lead classes and make presentations on research-based best practices in STEM education, research innovations and perspectives on equity and inclusion initiatives.
The event provides teachers with curriculum activities that are aligned to national standards, as well as advanced technical and scientific training, and a framework for implementing a SECME program in their schools.
