CEE Hosts Bite of Science at Microsoft Store to Strengthen Science Teaching

The Center for Excellence in Education's Teacher Enrichment Program (TEP) will host the Bite of Science, a professional development event, for teachers led by professional scientists and engineers at the Oakbrook, Illinois Microsoft Store.

Mclean, VA (I-Newswire) October 8, 2012 - The Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) will host the Bite of Science dinner event for high school teachers at the Oakbrook Microsoft Store in Oakbrook Center. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 9, 2012 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Science teachers and teachers of humanities who wish to broaden their perspective of science in their classroom are invited to participate.

The Teacher Enrichment Program will provide content and information to teachers so they can engage students to become interested in pursuing STEM careers.

“The goal of CEE through the Teacher Enrichment Program (TEP) is to increase the STEM workforce in Indiana by providing teachers with enhanced professional development, classroom ready STEM content, as well as providing a context for their students to better understand the importance of preparation for STEM careers,” stated Joann DiGennaro, President of CEE. “The mentoring and networking between scientists and teachers does not end with the Bite of Science. Additional educational content in the on-line Lab Bench continues the learning process for teachers by providing curriculum and strategy for immediate use in the classroom.”

The mission of the Teacher Enrichment Program helps to assure a future talented and diverse U.S. workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It focuses on best practices and resources, as well as exposure to the breadth and depth of scientific discovery often not available to rural and urban high school teachers and their students. The Bite of Science professional development opportunities for teachers is estimated to impact at least 7,500 Illinois students in 2012.

CEE’s Bite of Science will feature Dr. Robert Kernstock, Principal Scientist, Astellas Pharma, and Dr. Douglas Sisterson, ARM Climate Research Facility, Argonne National Laboratory. They will discuss their work and relate it back to the classroom.

The goals of the Teacher Enrichment Program are to:
• Provide teachers with enhanced professional development
• Furnish the opportunity for teachers to ask questions and to interact directly with scientists and engineers
• Foster excitement in teachers to create an interest for students in STEM fields
• Inform teachers so they have a better understanding of research and development
• Allow teachers the opportunity to network with their peers

Contact Natasha Schuh-Nuhfer, Director of the Teacher Enrichment Program, at nschuh@cee.org to attend the cost-free event offered by CEE.