Morgan State University and Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) are core partners for the MSP-Start "BRAIN-STEM" project which is building the necessary institutional infrastructure, in both the university and the school system, to implement activities that integrate mathematical and biological concepts in a manner that can be incorporated into high school mathematics and science courses. From a content perspective, they are focusing on discrete mathematics and genomics as material that is interesting, engaging, and at an appropriate level for success. They are conducting a needs analysis in the BCPSS by collecting and analyzing student achievement and teacher characteristic data in grades 9 - 12 math and science. They are using these results in designing a project that addresses the content and pedagogical needs of Baltimore City Public School System (BCSS) life sciences and mathematics teachers through the use of integrated problem-based learning that incorporates standards-based mathematics instruction and inquiry-based science instruction. Furthermore, they are using their evaluation outcomes as the basis for developing a full MSP Targeted Partnership proposal.
Morgan State University is a public, coeducational university which primarily serves students from underrepresented minority backgrounds. Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) serves over 87,000 students in urban and non-urban settings in Baltimore, Maryland, including 37 different high schools. About 75% of the school age children in the Baltimore City Public School district are African American.
