$400,000 in math, science grants to Minn. high schools
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 27, 2006
Contact: Stephanie Connolly, (651) 582-8720
$400,000 IN MATH, SCIENCE GRANTS TO MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOLS
~ 20 grants for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) model programs ~
Roseville – Education Commissioner Alice Seagren today announced that the Minnesota Department of Education is awarding grants to high schools to fund innovative redesign activities which will serve as models for other high schools. This funding comes from the National Governors’ Association Honor States Grant that was awarded to Minnesota in 2005. The high school redesign is based on the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program innovation launched by the Minnesota Department of Education.
“STEM helps schools get innovative and more rigorous math and science learning to students,” Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said. “Our children need a deep and meaningful educational base of sciences and math to be ready for the demands of their world and its technology. These awards will help raise students’ skill levels so they will be prepared for that constantly changing global economy and a multitude of workforce opportunities.”
The STEM innovation links learning opportunities for high school students to discover, explore, and/or solve real-life problems through integrating science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It applies scientific methods and/or engineering processes to rigorous and relevant math and science content in high schools to expand student interest and motivation in these disciplines.
The schools across the state that will receive these grants won high ratings from outside reviewers for the innovation shown in their grant applications; all high schools were invited to apply for these grants. The winning schools will implement STEM programs that will serve as models for all high schools across the state during the grant period which ends in July 2008. The schools chosen are: Arlington High School (St. Paul), Cambridge-Isanti High School, Cass Lake-Bena High School, Duluth East High School, East Central Secondary School (Finlayson), Gibbon/Fairfax/Winthrop High School, Jefferson High School (Alexandria), Marshall County Central High School, Moorhead High School, Moundsview/Irondale High School, Prior Lake High School, Armstrong/Cooper High Schools (Robbinsdale), Roseville High School, South St. Paul Secondary, Stillwater High School, Thief River Falls High School, Washburn High School (Minneapolis) and Henry Sibley High School (with Heritage and Friendly Hills Middle Schools in West St. Paul/Mendota Heights).
MDE awarded five $20,000 grants from each of the four programs below:
• Lighthouse High School Incentive Grants for Action Research in STEM: These grants improve student learning in mathematics and science courses through (1) embedding STEM (science-technology-engineering-math) content into new or existing courses in mathematics and/or science or (2) developing new programs (a series of courses or several linked learning opportunities) for students to receive innovative instruction and delivery that will improve their science, technology, engineering, or math learning.
• Model T/ED (Technology/Engineering Design) Student Learning Opportunities: These grants (1) develop new high school courses or programs in T/ED or (2) embed T/ED in existing math and science, or in career/technical education courses with significant math and science content.
• Model Digital Content Student Learning Opportunities: These grants increase opportunities for students to learn math and science content using digital resources and innovative technology. An example of such innovations might be increased technology-based collaborations for high school students with business or higher education organizations.
• Model Student Remediation Programs in Mathematics or Science: These grants either (1) expand or improve existing remediation programs or (2) establish new mathematics and/or science remediation programs for students completing eighth and 12th grade. When students fall behind in the gateway courses of math and science they often stay behind throughout their high school career. The goal is for Minnesota high schools to design and implement researched best practices to help each student to be successful in math and science and to be able to select future math and science career options.
“Minnesota schools stand at a critical juncture in preparing for global challenges and opportunities in science and technology,” Commissioner Seagren said. “Minnesota is taking bold action to improve education. The knowledge and skills of our students in a fast-changing world will determine their access to life’s opportunities as citizens in the 21st century, as well as our state’s capacity to meet future workforce needs. These high schools are on the right track in making this a reality.”
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