2007-12-14
Education and business leaders
from throughout the region are working together to improve math and science
skills in southern Ohio.
The project is part of a
collaborative effort started by the University of Rio Grande, Shawnee State
University and Ohio University. In 2004, the three universities received funding
from the Ohio Board of Regents to create the Southeast Center for Excellence in
Mathematics and Science (SEOCEMS).
SEOCEMS is focused on projects
in the region, but it is part of a statewide system set up to improve math and
science literacy for students throughout Ohio in grades K-12 and college, while
also assisting teachers in the state who are teaching these subjects.
The three universities
involved in the project also work with the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian
Schools (CORAS) and may partner with community colleges in the region in future
years.
At Rio Grande, faculty members
Jacob White and Sangeeta Gulati serve as the associate directors of the program
and are proud of how SEOCEMS has helped teachers in the region in the last few
years.
The organization is now hoping
to reach out to help more people in the community, and is setting up advisory
boards at each of the three universities involved in the project.
Rio Grande held its SEOCEMS
Local Advisory Board meeting on Thursday, Dec 6, and 15 business and community
leaders from Gallia, Jackson, Meigs and Vinton counties attended. State Rep.
Clyde Evans is among the area residents serving on the Advisory Board.
“The meeting went really
well,” Gulati said, adding that she was very pleased with the turnout.
“Everyone there was excited
and had things to offer,” she added. Those at the meeting in particular wanted
to know more about what Rio Grande and the SEOCEMS is doing to assist math and
science teachers in the region through professional development activities. Many
on the Advisory Board wanted to know if more of these programs could be offered.
In addition, Advisory Board
members pointed out that programs are already established in schools to help
children who excel in math or science, and they wondered what the SEOCEMS could
do to help establish new programs designed to assist students who have a hard
time with these subjects.
Gulati is interested in
looking at a wide variety of ways to help improve the math and science skills of
area residents, and is anxious to talk about future projects with the Advisory
Board. At future meetings, the Advisory Board members will discuss how area
residents can help with the program and how SEOCEMS can spend its grant money to
assist with math and science education in southern Ohio. The next meeting will
be held in March.
“The Advisory Board members
seemed really pleased,” Gulati said, adding that they also said they were happy
to help. For more information on the SEOCEMS Local Advisory Board at Rio Grande
or on the program to improve math and science skills in southern Ohio, call
Gulati at 1-800-282-7201.
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