College encourages math, science skills

NORWALK - Cerritos College hosted middle school students from the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District for a math and science academy held June 27-30.Teacher TRAC, the college's award-winning teacher training program, and Pathway Programs partnered with Cal State Long Beach and the school district to offer the academy as a way to increase the pipeline of qualified math and science teachers and health professionals. For one week, 48 middle school GATE students attended the math and science curricular enrichment program. Students participated in hands-on, interactive, inquiry-based activities which aimed to strengthen their preparations and motivation to pursue a background in math and science. Lead professors for the academy included teachers from the school district and Cerritos College faculty members. Two of the lead professors, Patty Buchanan and Tami Francis, were Teacher TRAC graduates. The academy also offered a professional development opportunity to pre-service teachers. Five Cerritos College prospective teachers participated as assistance professors. They worked alongside lead professors and facilitated small group explorations and labs. Pamela Romero, 11, said although it was the first time she'd been exposed to physics, she was intimated because the instructors teach through activities and experimentation. "This is nothing like what we learn in class," Pamela said. "The teacher has us do workshops and experiments which help us learn and keeps our attention. It's fun."

********** Published: July 21, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 14