The preparation of math and science teachers and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education overall has become a priority as national and international reports of student achievement continue to document the US decline in international competitiveness on assessments. More than most states, Tennessee faces educational challenges, particularly in math and science. Tennessee does not produce enough well-prepared math and science teachers, and national metrics indicate that our state’s performance in math and science is near the bottom of the 50 states.
As the flagship public university of our state, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has the responsibility to have the best and most rigorous teacher preparation program in the state. We can succeed in that goal by making certain that future teachers have strong major programs in their content disciplines and that the teaching used in our own STEM courses reflect the latest knowledge and understanding of effective pedagogy. Given the strength and capacity of its STEM and education faculty and programs, UT is well positioned to provide both state and national leadership in response to this need for increasing both the quality and quantity of STEM education.
CEEMS goals for the next five years include:
- To submit a minimum of one proposal per year to support STEM teacher preparation and the study of effective and innovative educational strategies;
- To partner with the Tickle College of Engineering to develop a minimum of one proposal per year that involves engineering in STEM teacher preparation that emphasizes the application of scientific and mathematical knowledge;
- To identify one or more sources from which to secure funds to expand and research the efficacy of the Biology in a Box program;
- To develop and maintain effective communications with project officers of potential funding sources; and
- To provide a source of outreach partners for UT STEM faculty seeking such affiliations for their research proposals.
CEEMS goals for the next five years include:
UT College of Arts and Sciences
UT College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
UT Office of Research and Engagement
UT Department of Nuclear Engineering
UT Institute of Agriculture
UT Institute of Biomedical Engineering
Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC)
Tennessee Department of Education
The UTeach Institute
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Office of Naval Research
Anderson County Schools
Hamilton County Schools
Knox County Schools
Roane County Schools
Public Education Foundation
Academy of Applied Science Inc.
TN-SCORE
CURENT
NIMBioS
STEMSparks
Lynn Hodge
Director of CEEMS
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Theory and Practice in Teacher Education
lhodge4@utk.edu T: 865-974-8778
Nick Kim
Professional Learning Coordinator
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Theory and Practice in Teacher Education
nkim2@utk.edu
Rebecca Layton
Media Specialist
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Theory and Practice in Teacher Education
rdlayton@utk.edu
Elizabeth Lindquist
Community Engagement Coordinator
College of Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
elindqui@vols.utk.edu
Frances Harper
Faculty Fellow, STEM Education/Math
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Theory and Practice in Teacher Education
francesharper@utk.edu,TPTE Profile
Joshua Rosenberg
Faculty Fellow, STEM Education/Science
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Theory and Practice in Teacher Education
jmrosenberg@utk.edu,TPTE Profile
Elizabeth Dyer
Faculty Fellow, STEM Education/Math
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Theory and Practice in Teacher Education
edyer8@utk.edu, TPTE Profile
Wendy Williams
Accounting Specialist II
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Theory and Practice in Teacher Education
wwilli59@utk.edu T: 865-974-2592