The four-fold mission of the New Hampshire Mathematics, Science and Technology Coalition (NH MaST) is: to improve the quality of mathematics, science and technology education (MSTE) for all New Hampshire students; to encourage and facilitate dialogue among New Hampshire school districts, institutions of higher education, businesses, government, and the public; to promote statewide MSTE projects; and to serve as a vehicle of communication to those in the state interested in the goals of NH MaST.

2006 Highlights

• The Coalition, as part of the NASA Explorer Schools Sustainability Project, sponsored a Rocketry Workshop at Kingswood Regional High School targeted for grades 5-9. The session began with a discussion of the interdisciplinary nature of model rocketry. Additional presentations included Newton's Laws of Motion; Rocket motor codes and launch safety; The use of different types of rocket fuel (solild, liquid and hypergolics) were demonstrated. Participants constructed and launched rockets powered by fizz tablets, air, water and model rocket motors. Tips and tricks to use when building rockets with classes of students were discussed.    
• New NH Science Frameworks were outlined and discussed. Teachers were able to borrow equipment to assist with course implementation or astronomy club use through the UNH Advancing Science Program. See http://www.mascoma.k12.nh.us/irs/    
• NH MaST, NASA Explorer Schools & the Plymouth Meteorology Center presented the BIG Weather Workshop on January 25, 2007 for teachers from all grade levels. Participants chose one of 4 workshops to attend: 1.How to interact with Plymouth Meterology Center Website; 2. Clouds; 3. Making a weather station/GLOBE protocols; and 4. Identifying Weather Patterns: Drawing Isotherms. All participants then attended the Big Weather Presentations.

New Hampshire is one of the states featured in the Linking Leaders Community for Change Book. Click the image to go to the Linking Leaders book main page and learn more about New Hampshire's Linking Leaders program activities.

A proposal for funding for the Northern New England Co-Mentor Network for Science & Mathematics Teacher Induction and Leadership was submitted in October 2000 to the National Science Foundation by the Maine Mathematics & Science Alliance, NH MaST, and the Vermont Institute for Science, Math & Technology. If funded, NH MaST would coordinate the activities in NH of this 3-year program. It is designed to build regional capacity for supporting and retaining beginning math and science teachers by developing a network of experienced teachers who will provide leadership and support throughout the induction process.

NH MaST continues to participate in NASSMC's and NASA's three-year Linking Leaders program. A successful statewide working conference was held in May, 2000, followed by a Linking Leaders Team planning session in October, 2000. An action plan was developed which includes sponsoring regional showcases throughout 2001 highlighting the activities of NH MaST members and partners in the state, culminating in another statewide conference in the fall of 2001.

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, NH MaST, in partnership with the Indian River School and Mascoma Valley Regional High School, was awarded a NES Partnerships for Sustainability grant to assist in the progression of stronger teaching and learning in STEM through an articulated partnership of organizations in New Hampshire.

Linking Leaders: The New Hampshire Mathematics ,Science and Technology Coalition (NH MaST) submitted a proposal for funding for the Northern New England Co-Mentor Network for Science & Mathematics Teacher Induction and Leadership in October 2000 to the National Science Foundation along with the Vermont Institute for Science, Math & Technology. The project was funded this year and NH MaST has assumed the responsibility of coordinating the activities in NH of this 3-year program. It is designed to build regional capacity for supporting and retaining beginning math and science teachers by developing a network of experienced teachers who will provide leadership and support throughout the induction process.

NH MaST continues to participate in NASA's three-year Linking Leaders program. An action plan was developed which includes sponsoring regional showcases throughout 2001 highlighting the activities of NH MaST members and partners in the state, culminating in another statewide conference in the fall of 2001. NH MaST obtained and distributed funds for a Model Sites Program for small projects at local schools; recipients received on-site visitation from others interested in duplicating their project. In partnership with the New Hampshire Chapter of the Association of Teachers of Mathematics, the Coalition published "Math Matters in New Hampshire", a pamphlet encouraging more and better teaching of mathematics.

NH MaST maintains the collaborative relationship with the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland which grew out of its involvement in the Linking Leaders process. The Aerospace Education Services Program specialist assigned to New Hampshire by the GSFC Education Office, functions as a NASA liaison to the coalition and has been actively involved in New Hampshire's education improvement efforts. Mechanisms are in place to assure that NASA education resources will be routinely cataloged and assessed for inclusion in new initiatives.

NH MaST has received an action planning grant award from NASSMC to plan and carry out a state-wide Needs Assessment Conference and to develop the tools necessary to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment in science, mathematics and technology education in New Hampshire.

Note: Working with other state coalitions across the country, NH MaST took the lead in working to change language in the current ESEA legislation to recognize state mathematics and science coalitions/partnerships as legitimate agents for education improvement.

The New Hampshire Mathematics, Science & Technology Coalition (NH MaST) obtained and distributed funds for a Model Sites Program for small projects at local schools; recipients received on-site visitation from others interested in duplicating their project. In partnership with the New Hampshire Chapter of the Association of Teachers of Mathematics, the Coalition published "Math Matters in New Hampshire", a pamphlet encouraging more and better teaching of mathematics. In a related activity, the Coalition initiated a test for college-intending high school juniors to help them decide what mathematics courses to take their senior year; approximately 6000 students and 64 percent of New Hampshire public schools participated in the final year of the program. NH MaST also supported publication of the addendum to the NH Curriculum Frameworks.

NH MaST received $164K grant from the New Hampshire Department of Education to do a survey of enacted curriculum using CCSSO's electronic survey. The Survey will focus on math and those schools across the state already identified as in need of improvement. NH MaST hopes to add a science component next year.