In today's high tech world, a teaching career is usually not a top choice for college students. Yet the need for high-quality, enthusiastic teachers, especially in the sciences, is more important than ever. At CU-Boulder, a growing collaboration among professors and Colorado teachers is successfully transforming science education and increasing the number of graduates who will teach science.

"The unique feature of our program is the coupling of teacher preparation efforts with initiatives to transform large-enrollment mathematics and science classes," said Valerie Otero, assistant professor in the School of Education and a co-principal investigator for the project. "This involves restructuring courses and showing students how to teach and learn in an educational community."

	Valerie Otero (top right and bottom right) facilitates STEM-TP mathematics and science education workshops for university faculty, high school teachers, and future teachers.

The Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics-Teacher Preparation Project (STEM-TP) provides opportunities for students to participate in courses with faculty through the Undergraduate Learning Assistants Program. In addition, K-12 teachers offer expertise to CU-Boulder professors on enhancing instruction and recruiting high school students into teacher preparation programs.

To date, more than 45 students have participated in the program and 45 more are expected next year.

In the program's first year, a new mathematics and science education course was created and seven large-enrollment mathematics and science courses were transformed. Five students majoring in mathematics and science were admitted into teaching licensure programs, and eight mathematics and science faculty were recruited to teach courses and participate in the project.

STEM-TP is conducted by the School of Education, the College of Arts and Sciences, and K-12 teachers. Other co-principal investigators for the project are Richard McCray of astrophysical and planetary sciences; Carl Wieman of physics; James Curry of applied mathematics; and William Wood of molecular, cellular, and developmental biology.

Through their field experiences, education courses, advising from faculty in the School of Education, and interactions with mathematics and science faculty, CU's mathematics and science students are developing positive attitudes about teaching and are turning to K-12 education as a desirable career option.