The NSF state Systemic Initiative
for Montana Mathematics and Science, Integrated Mathematics (SIMMS IM),
collaborated with STEP in numerous ways. Several SIMMSdistricts were
among the sites selected as STEP K-12 Partnership sites. SIMMS provided
matching funding for remodeling science and mathematics teaching laboratories
(at a cost of about $55,000 per campus), used extensively by preservice
teachers at the MSU Bozeman and University of Montana campuses. SIMMS
and STEP faculty offered a number of joint workshops using grant and Eisenhower
funds. A cadre of SIMMS-trained teachers continue to serve as mentor
teachers in STEP’s early career support program. SIMMS faculty helped to
design an Annenberg CPB project housed in STEP, and SIMMS projects were
highlighted in several of the public broadcast quality tapes and monographs
produced. STEP and SIMMS faculty are housed close together on the
MSU Bozeman and University of Montana campuses, which allowed joint projects
to emerge naturally.
American Indian Research Opportunities
American Indian Research
Opportunities (AIRO) Programs was established in 1983. American Indian
Research Opportunities (AIRO) is a consortium of Montana’s seven tribal
colleges and MSU-Bozeman. This program is dedicated to increasing
the numbers of American Indians entering higher education and career fields
where they are significantly underrepresented.
All Nations Alliance for Minority Participation
All Nations Alliance for
Minority Participation (AMP) is multi-state project supports Native
Americans at the seven tribal colleges in Montana and has developed a Memorandum
of Understanding with the Montana STEP Project to work together to accomplish
eleven common goals. The Alliance modeled its scholarship program
after STEP’s NSF Teaching Scholars Program. The five-year, $6,000,000
NSF grant was awarded jointly in 1995 to Salish Kootenai College and MSU-Bozeman,
assuring considerable sustainability of projects already started by STEP.
American Indians in Mathematics
The American Indians in Mathematics
(AIM) Project The AIM Project is jointly administered by the Center
for Native American Studies, the Department of Mathematical Sciences and
the STEP Project. Lyle Andersen, former STEP Co-director, is a lead
teacher of the AIM Project and its mathematics coordinator.
STEM Six through Eight Mathematics: Collaborative Research
Six through Eight Mathematics
(STEM): The goal of the STEM Project is to develop mathematical power for
all students as defined in the Professional Standards for Teaching Mathematics
published by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).
STEM materials and philosophy are used in STEP revised teaching methods
courses. STEP-trained teachers will be well equipped to implement this
inquiry-based curriculum which has ten instructional units for each of
the three grade levels 6, 7 and 8. Dr. Rick Billstein, Director of STEM,
is a STEP Campus Coordinator at The University of Montana. He also
co-directs the Advisory Council overseeing the Missoula/St. Ignatius Partnership.
Montana Office of Public Instruction
The State of Montana Office
of Public Instruction supported the STEP Project in numerous ways.
OPI worked with SIMMS and STEP faculty to develop a Framework for Mathematics
and Science that reflected the National Standards; provided generous technical
assistance (continuing today) for participants in an electronic conference
for STEP early career teachers and their mentors; provided travel and workshop
funds for K-12 teachers attending STEP workshops; and funded several summer
and school year workshop series (on K-8 technology; training mentor trainers;
integrating mathematics and science; and working with special needs students
in secondary SMET classrooms), implemented by STEP faculty at the K-12
Partnership sites.
Tribal College Math/Science Teaching TC-MAST
TC-MAST represents a collaboration
of all seven of Montana’s tribal colleges in partnership with The STEP
Project, The University of Montana and Montana State University-Bozeman.
The project has explored new teaching methodologies in areas such as math-science
integration, inquiry-based coursework, and incorporation of new technologies.
Annenberg CPB, Math & Science for All
The Mathematics and Science
for All (MSA) Project produced three videotapes and three resource books
to share the work of seven large scale Montana reform projects (SIMMS,
STEP, STEM, AIM, AIRO, NTEN, and Reach for the Sky). The materials
focus on successful initiatives to provide support for Native American
students, special needs students, and rural K-12 teachers. This project
is supported by Annenberg/CPB as part of their Mathematics and Science
Collection.
| "Mathematics and Science for All: Support for Rural Education" Writer: Carolyn Duckworth, The Annenberg/CPB Math and Science Collection, Washington, DC., (1996). Book and Video |
| "Mathematics and Science for All: Native American Students" Writer: Jay LaPlante, The Annenberg/CPB Math and Science Collection, Washington, DC, (1996). Book and Video |
| "Mathematics and Science for All: Students With Special Needs" Writer: Carolyn Duckworth, The Annenberg/CPB Math and Science. Book and Video |