Scottsdale Community College Awarded Math-Science Partnership Grant

Scottsdale, AZ (February 4, 2008) -- The Arizona Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education have awarded Scottsdale Community College a Math Science Partnership grant of $353,471 for 2008 -- 2009.

Members of the SCC Mathematics Department will provide professional development for 30 teachers serving several schools in Yavapai County who are seeking to acquire well-connected content knowledge, deep pedagogical knowledge of teaching mathematics, and AEPA certification. 

The grant will also be used to provide both hard copy and on-line classroom resources that can be used to craft learning experiences that give students well connected, conceptual understanding of mathematical concepts.  The grant provides an emphasis on improving the problem solving skills of both teachers and students.

"This award is a testimony to our outstanding faculty members, and illustrates their continued commitment to collaborate in the teaching and learning of mathematics at all levels," said Art DeCabooter, Scottsdale Community College president.  "I am very proud of the partnerships they have developed to the benefit of both the teachers and their students"

Over the past five years SCC math professors have facilitated grants totaling approximately $1.3 million, including this recent grant, designed to improve students? mathematical performance and teachers' instructional skills serving Gila River Indian Community, Salt River Indian Community, Scottsdale Unified District, Glendale Unified District, and Deer Valley Unified District.

SCC Math professors instrumental in facilitating the grant include Dr. Ted Coe, Donna Guhse, Michael Little Crow, and Dr. James Vicich, the grant director.  In 2002, Dr. John Sickafoose originally had a vision of SCC professors reaching out to the community of K-12 educators for the express purpose of improving the quality of math and science education in Arizona schools.  Since the first grant, SCC professors have provided professional development workshops to approximately 150 teachers.

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About the SCC Mathematics Department:

The Mathematics Department at Scottsdale Community College fosters an environment that both challenges and supports its students. We provide opportunities to acquire and develop the concepts and skills needed to more fully understand the mathematical dimension of human seeing, shaping, deciding, and acting.

About Scottsdale Community College:
Scottsdale Community College offers over 1,500 academic and non-credit classes each semester. Located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the campus is known for its serene atmosphere and beautiful plant and wildlife. With nearly 12,000 students, Scottsdale Community College is proud to offer high-quality, affordable programs in small class settings. From Motion Picture/Television Production and Culinary Arts to Nursing and American Indian Studies, students have a wide variety of programs from which to earn credits for university transfer, launch their careers, train for new ones, or pursue a special interest. The SCC Business Institute offers customized programs to meet the needs of local business. Scottsdale Community College is one of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges.

To learn about the many academic programs at Scottsdale Community College, call us at (480) 423-6000 or visit our website at www.scottsdalecc.edu.

Media contact:
Denise Kronsteiner
(480) 423-6567
denise.kronsteiner@sccmail.maricopa.edu

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