Current CeMaST Projects

The projects that CeMaST helps to support include teacher professional development, increasing opportunities for students from underrepresented populations, and the development of online enhancement modules. CeMaST provides numerous services to help facilitate and support projects focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

American Chemical Society (ACS) High School Chemistry Exam

Illinois State University (Normal, Illinois) will host the 2010 American Chemical Society High School Chemistry Exam on Wednesday, May 5, 2010. The exam will be held during the morning in the Brown Ballroom, located in the lower level of the Bone Student Center. Following the exam, there will be chemistry demonstrations and an awards ceremony. Please note the deadline to register for this event is Friday, April 16, 2010.

Children's Measurement: A Longitudinal Examination of Children’s Developing Knowledge of Mathematics

This National Science Foundation funded project is a longitudinal study that investigates the development of an understanding of measurement across seven grades-from pre-K through Grade 5. CeMaST helps with the administration duties associated with this project.

Formulating the Conceptual Base for Secondary Level Engineering Education: A Review and Synthesis

This research study is funded by the National Center for Engineering and Technology Education (National Science Foundation Center for Learning and Teaching). The purpose of the study is to identify and refine a conceptual foundation for secondary level engineering education.

Illinois EarthScope

EarthScope is the largest continental geology project ever funded by the National Science Foundation in partnership with the United States Geological Survey, and with the collaboration of UNVARCO Inc., Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (lRIS), Stanford University, and NASA. Its goal is to explore the geologic structure and evolution of the North American Continent and understand the processes controlling earthquakes and volcanoes. In just two years, from 2011 to 2013, Illinois teachers and students will have the opportunity to be part of EarthScope’s scientific effort as 30 transportable seismic stations and several ultra-high resolution GPS stations will be in operation in Illinois. Illinois EarthScope will help site these stations at middle and high schools in Illinois and train teachers to use data from these stations with their students.

Illinois Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation

The Illinois Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program (I-LSAMP) was formed in 1993 in response to the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) mandate to significantly increase the number of underrepresented minority scholars earning degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology disciplines. The I-LSAMP at ISU is sponsored through the cooperative efforts of CeMaST and the University College Julia N. Visor Academic Center.

Illinois Mathematics and Science Partnership Programs

The Department of Education/Illinois State Board of Education awarded ISU four grants to develop and administer Illinois Mathematics and Science Partnership (IMSP) Programs. CeMaST supports these programs in various ways.

Illinois State University Computer Science and Information Systems Scholarship Program

The Computer Science and Information Systems Scholarship Program is a part of the Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics  (S-STEM) Program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The Computer Science and Information Systems Scholarship Program in The School of Information Technology (ITK) offers scholarships to academically talented students majoring in Computer Science and Information Technology who have financial need.

Illinois State University High School Research Symposium

The Annual Illinois State University High School Research Symposium, sponsored by CeMaST, invites high school students to share their original work in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology. This is a poster presentation event that provides them with the opportunity to share their research with an audience of ISU professors, ISU students, and other Illinois high school students.

The Mind Project Learning and Research Center

This National Institutes of Health funded project draws faculty from the College of Arts and Science, the College of Education, Milner Library, as well as faculty from other institutions, the Central Illinois Neuroscience Foundation (CINF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the MIT Press. CeMaST provides support to this multi-faceted project.

The National Symposium to Develop an Effective Model for the Professional Development of K-12 Engineering and Technology Education Teachers

The primary focus for the National Symposium is to develop research-based models for the professional development of K-12 engineering and technology teachers. CeMaST helps provide leadership to this project.

Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program

The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program at Illinois State University seeks to encourage talented STEM majors and professionals in Mathematics, Biological Sciences, and Chemistry Teacher Education to become K-12 mathematics and science teachers in the Chicago Public Schools. The program covers the last two years of pre-service teacher education at Illinois State, making it ideal for current Illinois State students, community college transfers, and career-changing professionals.