Institute for Mathematics and Science Education (IMSE)

The Institute for Mathematics and Science Education (IMSE) was established to promote UIC efforts to improve precollege and undergraduate education in the areas of mathematics and science. A hallmark of IMSE efforts is the collaboration of research mathematicians and scientists with education researchers and teachers.

IMSE activities focus on four areas:

Curriculum Development
IMSE-based curriculum development is at the forefront of national efforts to improve the learning and teaching of mathematics and science. Particular emphasis is given to interdisciplinary curricula that integrate the teaching of mathematics and science. Math Trailblazers, the Maneuvers with Mathematics (MWM) modules, and the TIMS Laboratory Investigations are IMSE curriculum development projects.
Professional Development and Outreach Efforts
IMSE has developed an extensive, research-based program of professional development for mathematics and science teachers. In addition, IMSE programs assist schools and school districts with the implementation of innovative curricula, approaches, and special programs developed at the IMSE and elsewhere. IMSE professional development and outreach efforts include All Learn Mathematics (ALM), Chicago Secondary Mathematics Improvement Project (CSMIP/Chicago IMP), and the Teaching Integrated Math and Science Project (TIMS).
Faculty Involvement in Education Improvement Initiatives
One of IMSE’s missions is to assist mathematicians and scientists in becoming actively involved in precollege and college mathematics/science education reform. IMSE college-level initiatives include Mathematicians and Education Reform (MER) Forum and The Excellence in Teaching Undergraduate Science and Mathematics Symposium Series.
Research
IMSE supports research on the learning and teaching of mathematics and science and on the implementation of innovative math/science curricula. This research is then integrated into teacher preparation programs, professional development programs for teachers, and other college-level math/science instruction.

IMSE serves as an intellectual center that brings together researchers and practitioners from various disciplines, providing a forum for discussion and collaboration. IMSE programs are characterized by a strong foundation in mathematics and science content.

IMSE has developed a web of funded initiatives that address the teaching and learning of mathematics and science at several levels.

For information about UIC degree and teacher certification programs in mathematics education, please contact the Office of Mathematics and Computer Education at (312)996-2439

IMSE's Funded Projects:

University of Illinois at Chicago-All Learn Mathematics (UIC-ALM) project, with funding from the National Science Foundation and the Illinois State Board of Education, established partnerships with forty-four Chicago public schools. This school-university initiative was designed to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics in grades K–8.

The project includes a comprehensive staff development program for teachers, in-school follow-up support, classroom implementation of Standards-based mathematics curricula, and development of teacher leadership within schools. The foundation for the project is a set of innovative curriculum materials developed by the UIC Maneuvers with Mathematics Project (UIC-MWM) and the Connected Mathematics Project (CMP) in grades 6–8.
Chicago and UIC Collaboratives for Excellence in Teacher Preparation
In 1997, UIC took the lead in establishing the Chicago Collaborative for Excellence in Teacher Preparation (CCETP). CCETP involves five Chicago-area universities and six community colleges. The Collaborative’s goals is to improve significantly the science and mathematics preparation of the Chicago area’s future K–12 teachers.

Two distinct initiatives have emerged from CCETP. A Higher Education Cooperation Act (HECA) grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education is supporting a high-profile symposium series, Excellence Teaching Undergraduate Science and Mathematics: National and Chicago Perspectives. The symposia feature national and local leaders in improving undergraduate instruction in mathematics and science, with a focus on introductory mathematics and science courses, and related courses that are taken by elementary and secondary education majors.

IMSE and UIC’s College of Education were recently awarded a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation to establish the UIC–Community College Collaborative for Excellence in Teacher Preparation. This project involves UIC and six local community colleges (Harold Washington, Harper, Oakton, Triton, Truman, and Olive Harvey). Its goal is to improve foundational courses in mathematics and the science and the mathematics and science components of UIC’s teacher preparation program. The project includes faculty development programs, curriculum development initiatives, recruitment/retention activities, and mentoring and induction activities for new teachers who graduated from UIC’s College of Education. Close articulation with participating community colleges is another goal of the project.
Chicago Bilingual Summer Mathematics Laboratory (CBSML) is a new, interdisciplinary IMSE initiative that links mathematics instruction in grades 3–5 (using Math Trailblazers materials) with the development of English language proficiency among students who are learning English as a second language. The underlying premise of the project is that the same rich contexts and approaches that are used to develop mathematics concepts in a reform math program can also be used to develop second language proficiency. A successful pilot project in Summer 1998, the Summer Bilingual Math Lab, involved six schools, sixteen teachers, and over 200 students. The summer pilot project, which was supported by the Chicago Public Schools Office of Language and Cultural Education, formed the foundation for a related after-school program in four schools during the 1998-99 school year. An expanded summer program in 1999 will involve 15 Chicago schools and 45 teachers. A major proposal to integrate the program’s approaches into the regular school day in four schools has been submitted to the U.S. Department of Education.
Chicago Secondary Mathematics Improvement Project (Chicago IMP) supports the implementation of innovative curriculum materials in Chicago public high schools. The project is designed to help Chicago schools implement Chicago’s graduation requirement of three years of high school level mathematics, provide a quality mathematics education for all students, and align curriculum and teaching practices with city, state, and national goals and assessment practices. The vehicle for attaining these goals is the Interactive Mathematics Program (IMP)—the first of five NSF supported high school comprehensive mathematics curriculum projects to be completed. The project provides a broad professional development program for teachers who work in schools that have elected to implement the IMP curriculum. Currently 110 teachers from 12 Chicago public high schools are involved. The program has resulted in a positive effect on TAP, IGAP, pSAT student achievement when compared to traditional instruction.

Chicago IMP is grounded in the experience and practice of three years of successful, NSF-supported pilot IMP implementation in Chicago and builds upon on work that began in 1990 as part of the College Preparatory Mathematics Program, a NSF-supported project that led to increases in student achievement and persistence in mathematics for African American and Hispanic students in Chicago.
Family Math Leadership Workshops. IMSE and the Office of Mathematics and Computer Education provide Family Math Leadership workshops to prepare parents and teachers to conduct Family Math programs in their schools, libraries, churches, and other locations. Family Math brings parents and children together to enjoy fun mathematical games and activities. Developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, Family Math programs involves parents as active partners in their children’s mathematical education. It introduces families to key concepts in mathematics, develops critical and logical thinking skills, and connects mathematics to everyday life. While not developed at UIC, IMSE Family Math Leadership Workshops complement other IMSE projects and fills an important niche in IMSE’s outreach efforts.
IMSE Colloquia and Brown Bag Seminars provide a scholarly forum for researchers from UIC and other institutions to discuss significant work in mathematics and science education. IMSE Brown Bag Seminars provide a forum for UIC faculty and others to share their research and other work in an informal setting.
IAS/Park City Mathematics Institute (PCMI) involves undergraduate students, graduate students, research mathematicians, undergraduate faculty, high school teachers and mathematics education researchers in programs integrating mathematics and education. PCMI is built on the fundamental theme that the dynamic interaction among all participants is essential to the optimal functioning of the mathematics enterprise. UIC co-founded PCMI with five other universities in 1991 and has been responsible for coordinating the High School Teacher Program from 1991 to 1998. Since its inception, PCMI has grown to include a three-week Summer Session, a year-round High School Teacher Program, a Mentoring Program for Women in Mathematics, a Lecture Publications Series, and a Continuing Outreach Program. Twenty high school teachers from Chicago and suburban schools have participated in the High School Teacher Program.
University of Illinois at Chicago-Maneuvers with Mathematics (UIC-MWM) project is a teaching and materials development project. Hands-on, calculator-intensive materials take middle grade students into the heart of geometric and quantitative topics. Topics include area and perimeter of figures; volume; surface area; weight; measurement, estimation and construction of angles; maps, compass bearings, and scale drawings; proportions; fractions; and number theory. Currently, seven UIC-MWM Student Lab Books are published by Dale Seymour Publications. One unusual feature of the materials is that students write, measure, and compare estimates, measurements, and calculations directly in the Student Lab Book. UIC-MWM materials have been extremely successful with middle grade students. They have also been effective tools in the professional development of middle-grade teachers.
Mathematicians and Education Reform (MER) Forum promotes within the mathematics community the continuing discussion of educational issues, dissemination of educational resources, and building of collegial associations to support the successful involvement of mathematicians in education reform.
Teaching Integrated Math and Science Project (TIMS) supports the integration of mathematics and science in elementary schools through development of innovative curriculum materials and through professional development for teachers.

To arrange TIMS workshops or for other information you can contact the TIMS Project directly at tims@uic.edu.

Housed at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), IMSE is a joint venture of the university's departments of Biological Sciences; Chemistry; Physics; Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science; and its College of Education.

For more information, contact IMSE at 950 S. Halsted, Room 2075 SEL, Chicago, IL 60607; phone (312) 996-2448; fax (312) 413-7411; or e-mail to imse@uic.edu.

	Institute for Mathematics and Science Education (IMSE) The Institute for Mathematics and Science Education (IMSE) was established to promote UIC efforts to improve precollege and undergraduate education in the areas of mathematics and science. A hallmark of IMSE efforts is the collaboration of research mathematicians and scientists with education researchers and teachers. IMSE activities focus on four areas: Curriculum Development IMSE-based curriculum development is at the forefront of national efforts to improve the learning and teaching of mathematics and science. Particular emphasis is given to interdisciplinary curricula that integrate the teaching of mathematics and science. Math Trailblazers, the Maneuvers with Mathematics (MWM) modules, and the TIMS Laboratory Investigations are IMSE curriculum development projects. Professional Development and Outreach Efforts IMSE has developed an extensive, research-based program of professional development for mathematics and science teachers. In addition, IMSE programs assist schools and school districts with the implementation of innovative curricula, approaches, and special programs developed at the IMSE and elsewhere. IMSE professional development and outreach efforts include All Learn Mathematics (ALM), Chicago Secondary Mathematics Improvement Project (CSMIP/Chicago IMP), and the Teaching Integrated Math and Science Project (TIMS). Faculty Involvement in Education Improvement Initiatives One of IMSE’s missions is to assist mathematicians and scientists in becoming actively involved in precollege and college mathematics/science education reform. IMSE college-level initiatives include Mathematicians and Education Reform (MER) Forum and The Excellence in Teaching Undergraduate Science and Mathematics Symposium Series. Research IMSE supports research on the learning and teaching of mathematics and science and on the implementation of innovative math/science curricula. This research is then integrated into teacher preparation programs, professional development programs for teachers, and other college-level math/science instruction. IMSE serves as an intellectual center that brings together researchers and practitioners from various disciplines, providing a forum for discussion and collaboration. IMSE programs are characterized by a strong foundation in mathematics and science content. IMSE has developed a web of funded initiatives that address the teaching and learning of mathematics and science at several levels. For information about UIC degree and teacher certification programs in mathematics education, please contact the Office of Mathematics and Computer Education at (312)996-2439 IMSE's Funded Projects: University of Illinois at Chicago-All Learn Mathematics (UIC-ALM) project, with funding from the National Science Foundation and the Illinois State Board of Education, established partnerships with forty-four Chicago public schools. This school-university initiative was designed to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics in grades K–8. The project includes a comprehensive staff development program for teachers, in-school follow-up support, classroom implementation of Standards-based mathematics curricula, and development of teacher leadership within schools. The foundation for the project is a set of innovative curriculum materials developed by the UIC Maneuvers with Mathematics Project (UIC-MWM) and the Connected Mathematics Project (CMP) in grades 6–8. Chicago and UIC Collaboratives for Excellence in Teacher Preparation In 1997, UIC took the lead in establishing the Chicago Collaborative for Excellence in Teacher Preparation (CCETP). CCETP involves five Chicago-area universities and six community colleges. The Collaborative’s goals is to improve significantly the science and mathematics preparation of the Chicago area’s future K–12 teachers. Two distinct initiatives have emerged from CCETP. A Higher Education Cooperation Act (HECA) grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education is supporting a high-profile symposium series, Excellence Teaching Undergraduate Science and Mathematics: National and Chicago Perspectives. The symposia feature national and local leaders in improving undergraduate instruction in mathematics and science, with a focus on introductory mathematics and science courses, and related courses that are taken by elementary and secondary education majors. IMSE and UIC’s College of Education were recently awarded a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation to establish the UIC–Community College Collaborative for Excellence in Teacher Preparation. This project involves UIC and six local community colleges (Harold Washington, Harper, Oakton, Triton, Truman, and Olive Harvey). Its goal is to improve foundational courses in mathematics and the science and the mathematics and science components of UIC’s teacher preparation program. The project includes faculty development programs, curriculum development initiatives, recruitment/retention activities, and mentoring and induction activities for new teachers who graduated from UIC’s College of Education. Close articulation with participating community colleges is another goal of the project. Chicago Bilingual Summer Mathematics Laboratory (CBSML) is a new, interdisciplinary IMSE initiative that links mathematics instruction in grades 3–5 (using Math Trailblazers materials) with the development of English language proficiency among students who are learning English as a second language. The underlying premise of the project is that the same rich contexts and approaches that are used to develop mathematics concepts in a reform math program can also be used to develop second language proficiency. A successful pilot project in Summer 1998, the Summer Bilingual Math Lab, involved six schools, sixteen teachers, and over 200 students. The summer pilot project, which was supported by the Chicago Public Schools Office of Language and Cultural Education, formed the foundation for a related after-school program in four schools during the 1998-99 school year. An expanded summer program in 1999 will involve 15 Chicago schools and 45 teachers. A major proposal to integrate the program’s approaches into the regular school day in four schools has been submitted to the U.S. Department of Education. Chicago Secondary Mathematics Improvement Project (Chicago IMP) supports the implementation of innovative curriculum materials in Chicago public high schools. The project is designed to help Chicago schools implement Chicago’s graduation requirement of three years of high school level mathematics, provide a quality mathematics education for all students, and align curriculum and teaching practices with city, state, and national goals and assessment practices. The vehicle for attaining these goals is the Interactive Mathematics Program (IMP)—the first of five NSF supported high school comprehensive mathematics curriculum projects to be completed. The project provides a broad professional development program for teachers who work in schools that have elected to implement the IMP curriculum. Currently 110 teachers from 12 Chicago public high schools are involved. The program has resulted in a positive effect on TAP, IGAP, pSAT student achievement when compared to traditional instruction. Chicago IMP is grounded in the experience and practice of three years of successful, NSF-supported pilot IMP implementation in Chicago and builds upon on work that began in 1990 as part of the College Preparatory Mathematics Program, a NSF-supported project that led to increases in student achievement and persistence in mathematics for African American and Hispanic students in Chicago. Family Math Leadership Workshops. IMSE and the Office of Mathematics and Computer Education provide Family Math Leadership workshops to prepare parents and teachers to conduct Family Math programs in their schools, libraries, churches, and other locations. Family Math brings parents and children together to enjoy fun mathematical games and activities. Developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, Family Math programs involves parents as active partners in their children’s mathematical education. It introduces families to key concepts in mathematics, develops critical and logical thinking skills, and connects mathematics to everyday life. While not developed at UIC, IMSE Family Math Leadership Workshops complement other IMSE projects and fills an important niche in IMSE’s outreach efforts. IMSE Colloquia and Brown Bag Seminars provide a scholarly forum for researchers from UIC and other institutions to discuss significant work in mathematics and science education. IMSE Brown Bag Seminars provide a forum for UIC faculty and others to share their research and other work in an informal setting. IAS/Park City Mathematics Institute (PCMI) involves undergraduate students, graduate students, research mathematicians, undergraduate faculty, high school teachers and mathematics education researchers in programs integrating mathematics and education. PCMI is built on the fundamental theme that the dynamic interaction among all participants is essential to the optimal functioning of the mathematics enterprise. UIC co-founded PCMI with five other universities in 1991 and has been responsible for coordinating the High School Teacher Program from 1991 to 1998. Since its inception, PCMI has grown to include a three-week Summer Session, a year-round High School Teacher Program, a Mentoring Program for Women in Mathematics, a Lecture Publications Series, and a Continuing Outreach Program. Twenty high school teachers from Chicago and suburban schools have participated in the High School Teacher Program. University of Illinois at Chicago-Maneuvers with Mathematics (UIC-MWM) project is a teaching and materials development project. Hands-on, calculator-intensive materials take middle grade students into the heart of geometric and quantitative topics. Topics include area and perimeter of figures; volume; surface area; weight; measurement, estimation and construction of angles; maps, compass bearings, and scale drawings; proportions; fractions; and number theory. Currently, seven UIC-MWM Student Lab Books are published by Dale Seymour Publications. One unusual feature of the materials is that students write, measure, and compare estimates, measurements, and calculations directly in the Student Lab Book. UIC-MWM materials have been extremely successful with middle grade students. They have also been effective tools in the professional development of middle-grade teachers. Mathematicians and Education Reform (MER) Forum promotes within the mathematics community the continuing discussion of educational issues, dissemination of educational resources, and building of collegial associations to support the successful involvement of mathematicians in education reform. Teaching Integrated Math and Science Project (TIMS) supports the integration of mathematics and science in elementary schools through development of innovative curriculum materials and through professional development for teachers. Math Trailblazers In 1997, the TIMS Project completed the development of the Math Trailblazers, a comprehensive mathematics curriculum for grades K–5. This project was one of only three national projects funded by the National Science Foundation to develop comprehensive, elementary, reform mathematics curricula. The full curriculum includes 31 books, totaling nearly 11,000 published pages, which are published by Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. TIMS staff members also support dissemination and implementation of Math Trailblazers. TIMS Laboratory Investigations Pulling together over twenty years of research and development, the TIMS Project recently prepared 147 TIMS Laboratory Experiments for commercial publication. The experiments, which formed the foundation of the TIMS Project, are published in CD-ROM format by Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company as the TIMS Laboratory Investigations. TIMS Professional Development The TIMS Project provides an array of professional development programs for K–8 teachers and schools. This includes grant-funded projects and other programs supported by schools and school districts. In particular, TIMS staff support teachers and schools with implementation of Math Trailblazers and the TIMS Laboratory Investigations. TIMS also provides a series of “readiness workshops” that are designed to help prepare schools and teachers for selection of reform mathematics curricula. The TIMS Project has developed special expertise in supporting full-school adoption of reform mathematics curricula and on implementation of such curricula in urban schools. To arrange TIMS workshops or for other information you can contact the TIMS Project directly at tims@uic.edu. Housed at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), IMSE is a joint venture of the university's departments of Biological Sciences; Chemistry; Physics; Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science; and its College of Education. For more information, contact IMSE at 950 S. Halsted, Room 2075 SEL, Chicago, IL 60607; phone (312) 996-2448; fax (312) 413-7411; or e-mail to imse@uic.edu. \| ALM \| CCETP \| Chicago Bilingual Summer Mathematics Laboratory \| Chicago IMP \| Family Math \| \| IMSE Colloquia \| PCMI \| MWM \| MER Forum \| TIMS Project \| Math Trailblazers \| \| TIMS Laboratory Investigations \| TIMS Professional Development \| Copyright © 2000 Institute for Mathematics and Science Education. All rights reserved. UIC—University of Illinois at Chicago