Hawaiʻi and many states around the country are in dire need of more teachers and especially those in the STEM fields. To develop more high-quality mathematics teachers in Hawaiʻi, the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu received a nearly $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.
The three-year, $299,527 grant was awarded in August for the project, “Building Confidence through Inquiry, Research, Community Leadership, and Engagement (B-CIRCLE).” UH West Oʻahu elementary education students and middle-level/secondary mathematics majors will benefit from B-CIRCLE as they build confidence through unique engaging activities.
Among the B-CIRCLE participants is Hailey Cadina, a senior in the elementary education program.
“I know just from my perspective and from my cohorts’ perspective, we’re super excited to get access to free online resources and things that are going to be really beneficial to us in our future classrooms and in our learning right now, as well as opportunities for professional development days that will definitely strengthen and help us as future teachers,” said Cadina, who is a Waialua resident and Leilehua High School graduate.
The project’s principal investigator is Laurie James, associate professor of math education, and co-principal investigators are Michael Furuto, professor of mathematics, and Veny Liu, associate professor of mathematics.
“The significance of the B-CIRCLE project is to promote teaching as a rewarding and fulfilling career,” James said. “The United States faces a significant shortage of well-prepared mathematics teachers. To address the teacher shortage problem, B-CIRCLE focuses on the importance of developing more high-quality mathematics teachers in Hawai‘i.”
The B-CIRCLE project will integrate 20 sessions of professional development into the math methods courses for the UH West Oʻahu preservice teachers. Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival trainers will reinforce mathematical pedagogy, help build frameworks or plans and create fun math experiences through the exploration of festivals.
James said, “The B-CIRCLE project will have a substantially broader impact, and benefit our society through innovative learning opportunities that are linked to experiences that demonstrate the personal growth of the UH West Oʻahu preservice teachers through leadership roles, problem-based math and hands-on activities.
“The activities are designed to have a low floor so that anyone can find a way to engage, and a high ceiling so that everyone can discover a meaningful challenge. These professional development activities will fill an unaddressed need for future teachers to have access to additional resources that link to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.”
—by Zenaida Serrano Arvman
Read more at Ka Puna o Kaloʻi.
