COE Exchange

The Grand Opening of Math Science Education Central (MSEC), the math/science extension of the Technology and Learning Center, was a glorious event today. Our primary donors were there — Monsanto, Sigma-Aldrich, MasterCard, and Boeing. Also, note the photo of Chancellor George, as his contribution to this project exceeded all others!

You’ll also undoubtedly notice the photo of Carl with Tom Scott and Brad Roane of KBR who built the facility. Tom and Brad gave MSEC a new barbecue grill for the deck!

And last but not least, enjoy this group photo of the ribbon-cutting ceremony courtesy of Augie Jennewein.

We are just a bunch of dreamers, huh? But you know what, even in tough economic times we need a whole team of dreamers. The opening of MSEC today is clearly, “a dream come true.” Let’s keep on dreaming.

Official Press Release

The College of Education unveiled the new Mathematics and Science Education Central (MSEC) at a grand opening ceremony March 12. As a modern, technologically advanced space, the new $900,000 facility is designed and equipped to provide a stimulating environment for education students and practicing teachers to learn best practices in teaching science and mathematics.

Funding for the project was a shared effort, with major gifts from Boeing, Sigma Aldrich, Monsanto and MasterCard. UMSL Chancellor Tom George and the College itself also made significant contributions.

MSEC is an extension of the college’s E. Desmond Lee Technology and Learning Center – the technological hub of the College since April 2000. The project’s unique partnership with the Saint Louis Science Center will open up innovative collaborative internships and programming for practicing teachers, teacher candidates and students.

Saint Louis Science Center artists created thematic murals for the MSEC spaces, which include the Boeing Auditorium, the Monsanto Education Bio-Lab, and the Sigma-Aldrich Science Education Lab. Museum artifact cases and other Science Center displays also enhance the MSEC environment. The MasterCard Math Manipulative Lending Library, provides teacher education resources for use in course work and in St. Louis area schools. MSEC is also the new home of the Jean Craighead George Children’s Science Collection, the world’s largest library of children’s science books for grades K-8.

“This has been a dream of the College for some time,” said College of Education Dean Charles Schmitz.  “The goal of Math and Science Education Central is to increase the number of teachers who have exceptional skills in teaching math and science and ultimately improve K-12 student achievement.”

The following are among long-term goals of this unique teaching facility:

• More elementary and secondary teachers graduating as specialists in math/science education
• Improved student achievement in math and science
• Greater numbers of teachers who improve their content area knowledge and use technology-enhanced math and science (STEM) curricula along with innovative, tested methods to teach
• More doctoral graduates with a  Ph.D. or Ed.D in science and math education