9419540 Silevitch This award provides funding for a three year continuing award to support the Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for the Enhancement of Science and Mathematics Education (CESAME). This Center, organized within the framework of the I/UCRC model, is a multi-sector partnership of federal, state, private foundation, and industry partners. CESAME enables K-12 elementary and secondary teachers in the State of Massachusetts to design and implement their own innovative ideas of teaching science and mathematics to children. CESAME is concerned with fostering projects conducted by teachers concerned with enhancing K-12 education. By applying the IUC approach to education, CESAME is systematically disseminate results and nurture the development of "teacher-mentors." These leaders are vitally needed to spark widespread positive changes in the U.S. educational system. Minimum funding for the CESAME effort consists of a three-way match between the NSF (the prime federal partner), the Bay State Skills Corporation (BSSC) (the prime state partner) and other federal, industry and private education foundation sponsors. This mixture of state, federal, and private sector participation is critical in an area such as precollege education. This program has been coordinated with Dr. Joyce Evans of the Teacher Enhancement Program, Division for Elementary and Secondary Education, Directorate for Education and Human Resources. The U.S. Department of Army has provided additional funding to augment the Centers ongoing research and to obtain a membership in the Center. The Program Manager recommends Northeastern University be awarded $100,000 for the first year of a three-year continuing award. An additional $15,000 is recommended for one year with funds provided by the U.S. Department of Army Natick RD&E Center. Near the end of each 12-month period, the Program Manager will review the progress of the Center on a number of renewal criteria, includ ing the following: 1) the extent to which the university/industry interaction is being sustained and growing; 2) the extent to which the support base of $100,000 is met and expanded; and 3) the extent to which a robust educational program is developing. If the review is satisfactory, the Program Manager will recommend support for the next year. The total amount of this three year continuing award is $300,000.
