| The Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance endeavors to enhance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education to elevate student aspirations and achievement, so all students will meet or exceed state and national standards.
Mission: The MMSA will provide and conduct research, development, and implementation strategies, and form active partnerships to support excellence in STEM curriculum, instruction, and assessment in schools and districts for educators at all stages of their careers.
Beliefs: All activities of the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA) are based on five core beliefs:
- Strong mathematics and science content knowledge and the skills of inquiry and problem solving.
- Data-informed planning and decision making.
- Research based instructional practice and professional development.
- Equity of opportunity.
- Rigorous alignment with state and national standards.
MMSA Organizational Profile for 2006-2007
- Whole School Improvement in Science and/or Mathematics (Programs include SC4, MATHS, BALANCE, L-SILL, SLL, MNESC, and Technical Assistance)
- Science and/or Mathematics Professional Development (Programs include: EMT, MNESC, BALANCE, Conferences, and Technical Assistance)
- Science and Mathematics Teacher Recruitment and Retention (Programs Include: MMSTEC, NNECN, eMSS, EMSN, and Conferences)
- Material Research and Development (Programs include: CTS, GLOBE, BiomedWorks, PRISMS, AP, EMT, Uncovering Student Ideas, and Evaluation)
- Advocacy (Public Forums, and Committee work)
- Fundraising Goal: To ensure funds are adequate to support programs and the funds match the mission and goals of the MMSA.
- Marketing Goal: To increase public understanding of the organization and specific initiatives.
- Personnel Goals: 1. To have and support a knowledgeable and experienced staff to manage and deliver services. 2. To maintain and recruit a pool of well qualified teacher leaders to help deliver services.
- Partners and Collaborators Goal: Maintain and develop strong ties with other related organizations. AAAS/Project 2061, Association of Teachers of Mathematics in Maine, Bigelow Laboratory, Boston Museum of Science, Colby College, Education Development Center, Foundation for Blood Research, Learning Innovations/WestEd, L.L. Bean, Maine Department of Education, Maine Science Teachers Association, Maine Space Grant Consortium, National Association of State Science and Mathematics Coalitions, National Semiconductor Corporation, National Science Teachers Association, New Hampshire Mathematics, Science, and Technology Coalition, Science Companion, Southern New Hampshire University, SuperEd - 8 other educational non profits, TERC, The Jackson Laboratory, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research - The National Center for Atmospheric Research, University of California Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science, University of Southern Maine, University of Maine at Farmington, University of Maine at Machias, University of Maine, University of New England, Western Washington University, Wright Center at Tufts University
NES Partnerships for Sustainability: The NES Partnerships for Sustainability Program was launched in 2003 as a pilot to gauge the effectiveness of state-based coalitions working in active collaboration with the NASA Explorer Schools. In 2005, MMSA, in
partnership with Biddeford Middle School and John F.
Kennedy School, was awarded a NES Partnerships for Sustainability grant to combine national, regional, state
and local resources to improve STEM education in
the Maine NES and the surrounding districts in southern
Maine. THe Maine NASA Explorer School Collaborative (MNESC) has two goals:
- To provide K-12 STEM Teachers with technical assistance and professional development experiences designed to build upon and improve their content and pedagogical content knowledge.
- To establish new and renewed STEM partnerships between the Maine NASA Explorer Schools and other community statewide partners.
MMSA offers grant programs which affected 220 school districts in 2005 and provides technical assistance services to teams from schools to support school-based reform. The MMSA provides assistance to schools, districts, and other organizations seeking to improve their mathematics curriculum, instruction, assessment, content knowledge, and other areas related to math, science education and assessment. Audiences include classroom teachers, committee members, math specialists, administrators, and other educators from schools and organizations that support math education. MMSA consulting services include at their core, the skills, content knowledge, and connections to standards necessary to achieve mathematical literacy.
The Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA) was established in 1992 as a 501(c)3 not for profit organization to oversee and coordinate a comprehensive effort to improve science and mathematics education in Maine under a 5 year grant from the National Science Foundation Statewide Systemic Initiative (SSI) program. The MMSA continues to support science and mathematics in Maine through an expansion of its programs, staff, fee for service, a diverse portfolio of grant-funded projects in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, and policy support. In just over a decade, the MMSA brought over $24 million in grants and contracts into Maine to support students, teachers, schools, and districts.
In 2002, our work expanded into Northern New England and other parts of the country. The MMSA today continues to evolve and grow nationally, while staying true to its original mission. The MMSA is a strong, respected leader in science and mathematics education, with a highly skilled, knowledgeable staff and a palette of innovative, standards and research-based programs, projects, policy-support, and products. |
