Preparing Teachers for the 21st Century


A Conference for Nebraska Faculty and Administrators
Who Educate Math and Science Teachers
May 27 - 28 1998

Wendesday May 27, 1998

9:00 - 10:00 Registration/Continental Breakfast -- Lower Level Desk
10:00 - 11:30 Roundtable discussion -- The state of math and science teacher preparation in Nebraska.
This will be an opportunity for Nebraska institutions to discuss their programs, identify
challenges, and identify common issues.
11:30 - 12:00 Dr. Tom Wandzilak, Director of Field Experiences and Certification, UNL Teachers College.
An update on state rules affecting teacher preparation, Hawthorne Room.
12:00 - 12:30 Lunch -- Arbor I
Welcome -- Dean Jim O'Hanlon from UNL Teachers College
Speaker -- Dr. Doug Christensen, Nebraska Commissioner of Education.
General Topic: What should we be doing to educate future math and science teachers?
The implications of the Standards for teacher preparation.
1:30 - 2:30 Dr. Robert Fisher -- Professor of Science Education at Illinois State University,
Co-Director for ISU's Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology, active member of NSTA,
and Board of Examiners for NCATE.

Dr. Susan Pruet -- Coordinator, South Alabama Systemic Initiative to Improve Mathematics Education
and Director of Algebra for All Project: John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Excellence in Education
Project. Chair of the NCTM Instructional Issues Advising Committee, 96 - 97. Columbus Regional
Mathematics Collaborative, Columbus State University, Georgia, 95 - 97.

Each will speak for 30 minutes giving a perspective on national developments in mathematics and
science education. Each will also briefly preview a workshop they will conduct from 2:30 - 4:30.
2:30 - 4:30 Workshops - Select your choice of either science presented by Dr. Fisher (Grant Room - 6th Floor)
or mathematics presented by Dr. Pruet, (Hawthorne Room).
4:30 - 5:30 Small Group Discussions
5:30 - 6:30 Reception -- Arbor I
6:30 - 8:30 Dinner -- Arbor I
Keynote: "Using Mathematics to Make the Invisible Visible."
Dr. Keith Devlin: Author, mathematician, Dean of Science at St. Mary's College, Moraga CA,
and senior researcher at Stanford University.

Thursday May 28, 1998

8:00 - 9:15 Breakfast -- Arbor I
Select a discussion group of interest to you:
  • Accountability for Teacher Education -- Marge Harouff, NDE
  • Working to Achieve Science for All -- Carol Mitchell, UNO
  • Integrating Technology with Instruction -- Mary Sutton, UNL
  • The new State Science Standards -- Jim Woodland, NDE
  • The new State Math Standards -- Deb Romanek, NDE
  • Teaching Algebra at the Middle Grades -- Kathleen Wheeler, York
  • Toward Finding the Best Fit: Content and Pedagogy -- Russell Sorchek, Doane
  • New Directions in High School Computer Science -- Chuck Reisdel, UNL Computer Science
  • Mentoring Programs for New Teachers -- Nancy Edick, UNO/Sharon Davis, UNL
9:30 - 10:00 Feedback from Day I and Breakfast Session.
10:00 - 12:00 Small Action Groups -- Planning the Future
  • Elementary Education
12:00 - 1:30 Luncheon (Panel Discussion)
1:30 - 2:00 Feedback from Action Groups
2:00 - 4:00 Workshops and Technology Demonstrations
(A shuttle to UNL locations will be at the front of the hotel)
  • Donn Carlson, UNK
  • Ron Bonstetter, UNL
  • "Chemical Changes are Atomic Exchanges" -- A plan for an elementary grade school-wide
    involvement activity in chemistry using science methods students. Bill McLaughlin,
    UNL Chemistry and Suzanne Shoff, UNL Curriculum & Instruction. Hamilton Hall, UNL.
  • "Calculus Classroom Demonstration with the CBL and Homemade Stuff" -- Steve Dunbar,
    UNL Math Department. Grant Room, Cornhusker 6th Floor.
  • "Virtually Yours -- Easy to Use Templates for Interactive Web Math, including Geometry,
    Algebra, and Virtual Reality" -- David Fowler, UNL Teachers College, Curriculum & Instruction.
    New Media Center, UNL Mabel Lee Hall.
4:00 Opening Session -- Shaping the Future

We encourage participants to stay for the Shaping the Future of Undergraduate Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology Education Conference at the Cornhusker Hotel, May 28 - 30.

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