CSU Channel Islands
The Math and Science Teacher (MaST) Initiative at California State University Channel Islands brings together university faculty in mathematics, the sciences, and education; university undergraduates and teacher credential candidates in math and science; and local K-12 math and science teachers working on a variety of projects. Current projects include the creation of new pathways for undergraduate students pursuing a teaching credential through grants partnered with local community colleges, and opportunities for undergraduate science students to work with high school seniors in a summer research program. Competitive scholarships, sponsored by the Boeing Foundation, are awarded to credential candidates pursuing math and science credentials and specializations. CSUCI has successfully incorporated career-changers from science and technology industries into the Single Subject Credential Program and supported their transitions through the scholarship program.
MaST co-sponsors general information sessions about the teaching profession for the university and the larger community in addition to fostering partnerships with local community college math and science departments. In conjunction with Moorpark Community College and in consultation with teachers throughout the county, MaST co-sponsored professional workshops and the creation of science kits for local middle school and high school science teachers to engage their students in science activities focused on biotechnology. Additionally, the MaST website has a link to a lesson plan database for teachers to share lesson plans and teaching ideas.
The MaST Initiative and the School of Education have partnered with Pacifica High School in the Oxnard Union High School District. Specifically, undergraduate early field placement and service learning courses are taught on-site in Pacifica’s Teaching and Educational Careers Academy (TECA). Additionally, the high school TECA students regularly visit the CSUCI campus to meet with admissions staff, credential students, and academic faculty.
The MaST Initiative and the School of Education at CSUCI partnered with the TRIAD Workforce Development Taskforce, a group of local businesses, schools, and Naval Base Ventura County that was created to recruit retiring military and military related personnel into new jobs in the county—including teaching.
CSUCI has plans to extend the MaST Initiative by creating the Science and Mathematics Education Collaborative (SAMEC) that will focus on building relationships between the MaST constituents in the county.