This project offers twenty-five selected teachers of Mathematics in Grades 6, 7, and 8 the opportunity to participate in a four-week Honors Workshop at Michigan State University during the summer of 1987. This will enable these teachers from the Midwest to earn 6 hours of credit in Mathematics Education. The participants will be provided with a special intensive program designed to update their knowledge of mathematics and its uses. They will also study ways to improve their instruction of mathematics at the middle grade level. An interesting "multiplier" effect of the program is the attendance of two proteges of each participant during the fourth week of the program. These additional teachers will also be active participants of the Workshop. All participants will be provided with materials and plans with which to return to their communities as leaders in Mathematics Education. Materials used will be principally those developed through the Middle Grade Mathematics Project, an NSF-funded curriculum development project. Excellent support has been generated from local school districts to ensure implementation at the school level. During the second summer, the participants, with considerable local support, will conduct workshops for their peers under the guidance of the project staff. Throughout the project the focus will be on building a local network of teachers to continue the project activities in addition to exchanging ideas and providing broader support. Dr. Fitzgerald has extensive experience in Mathematics and Mathematics Education having worked at the secondary as well as at the university level. He has organized and conducted many conferences on various topics in mathematics and served in the capacity of staff member and director for several NSF-funded programs. Dr. Lappan, Co PI, has an equally impressive background, but, in particular, was Project Director for the NSF-funded Middle Grades Mathematics Program. These materials are an integral part of this proposal. With a highly qualified staff, a feasible program design, an appropriate set of materials and supportive school districts, this program stands an excellent chance of impacting positively on the Mathematics Education of the region.
