Today's teachers are faced with a number of daunting challenges as higher standards are introduced and outcomes and assessments are pushed to new levels. Unlike adolescent (secondary) educators, who usually teach within the discipline of their expertise, childhood (elementary) educators are expected to teach across the curriculum. Historically, childhood educators graduate with degrees in either English or history, not in mathematics or science. However, childhood educators are expected to teach all subject areas. In the past, many childhood educators were not comfortable teaching a mathematics or science lesson.
"Students preparing to teach in elementary schools weren't receiving adequate exposure to the sciences they were expected to teach," said Dr. Lynn Maelia, Professor of Chemistry, "nor were they learning to integrate mathematical concepts with scientific applications."
To turn the tide on this problem, the Mount applied for and received a "Course Curriculum and Laboratory Improvement" award in 2001 from the National Science Foundation's Undergraduate Education Division. The $192,484 award was dispersed over a two-year period. At the time, Dr. Iris Turkenkopf, chair of the Division of Natural Sciences, said the award would have long range benefits for the college, its students and the region.
"By combining the assets of the college's divisions of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Sciences, and Education, we will not only promote scientific and mathematical literacy, we will also help students overcome math and science phobias and allow students to see the connections of these disciplines in their own lives."
The award allowed the college to develop three new courses integrating mathematics, science and technology, aka MST.
Sr. Pat Sullivan, chair of the Division of Mathematics and Computer Science, another key player in the Mount's MST initiative, is pleased with the way the program has developed and is encouraged by the results.
"Our students are learning to think," she said, "and not only that, they are learning how to link their thinking."
The thinking and linking is what St. Pat says is the ultimate benefit for the college's education students.
The introductory MST course, MST 101 (Math/Science/Technology I) satisfies the computer requirement, while MST 102-103 (Applied Math, Science and Technology II, III) satisfy the mathematics and science requirements for graduation.
These courses combine content with hands on projects. Students design and build solar ovens, conduct water and experiments using the Hudson River, and learn how to use statistics and enter the date onto the computer.
Dr. Maureen Markel, Professor of Computer Science, teaches MST 101. Observing Markel in action in the classroom, one could sense her enthusiasm is contagious. The day Happenings visited her class, Tara Byrnes of Fort Montgomery and Katie-Lee Mayer of Wappingers Falls, were presenting a lesson they had developed: How to Make Ice Cream.
Tara, an English major who said she always hated mathematics and science, showed no discomfort as she and her partner, Katie, a mathematics major, presented their edible lesson. Both are pursuing teaching certificates.
Tara and Katie used PowerPoint to guide the students through the process. They distributed ice cream cones and had the students compute the volume of the cone to determine how much ice cream would fit inside. The students combined liquid ingredients in a plastic bag filled with ice cubes sprinkled with salt, turning the liquid into a solid- ice cream. They then happily finished their lesson by putting the ice cream into the cones, covering it with sprinkles and munching it down.
Both Tara and Katie agreed that the MST class has helped them understand how to make learning fun.
"We might have made ice cream," Katie said, "but the students learned something about volume and how matter changes from liquid to solid."
"I'll definitely be able to use what I'm learning in the MST courses when I start teaching," Tara said. "I'm realizing that I don't actually hate math and science."
"The MST program is a great addition to our curriculum," Markel explained, "because, instead of approaching math, science and computer technology from purely theoretical perspective, our students are learning by doing, and that's what will make them great teachers when they enter the classroom."
The Mount's MST program has become a model for other colleges. Mount faculty have presented the program at conferences around the county and in Canada.
As Turkenkopf said, "the Mount is riding the wave of the future.and we're proud of it!"
The Division of Education
Contact Us
Office of Admissions
Mount Saint Mary College
330 Powell Ave.
Newburgh, NY 12550
888-YES-MSMC
845-569-3248
admissions@msmc.edu
www.msmc.edu