[252] Statewide Math, Science Research Conference Begins Today

News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu
Conference contact: Dr. Tom Cheatham/Lee Ann Newton, 615-804-5393


Statewide math, science research conference begins today

MURFREESBORO — Nearly 120 higher education and K-12 administrators, faculty and others from across the state and region are participating today and Friday in the Tennessee Mathematics and Science Technology Education Center at MTSU served as host for the TMSTEC Research Conference 2012.

The two-day conference is being held at Embassy Suites Murfreesboro Hotel and Conference Center.

“It’s good to get a lot of people together to talk about math and science education,” said Dr. Tom Cheatham, MTSU dean for the College of Basic and Applied Sciences and event director.

Cheatham said three keynote speakers during Thursday’s sessions included Virginia Shepherd, director of the Vanderbilt University Outreach; Gary Martin, Auburn University professor of secondary math education; and Chris Singer, director of the Engineering Directorate at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

A late-afternoon Tennessee state government panel included Linda K. Jordan, science consultant with the Tennessee Department of Education; Katrina Miller, director, First to the Top, Tennessee Higher Education Commission; David Sevier, deputy executive director, Tennessee State Board of Education; and Sky Gallegos with the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network. STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math.

Cheatham said funding for the conference primarily comes from the Tennessee Space Grant Consortium. Dr. Mark Abolins, associate professor in the geosciences department, serves as principal investigator of the consortium. Dr. Mike Allen, vice provost of the MTSU Office of Research and dean of the College of Graduate Studies, provided matching funds.

Friday’s conference agenda includes separate math and science breakout sessions and moderated sessions led by Martin and Shepherd.

To view the full schedule, visit the TMSTEC website, http://frank.mtsu.edu/~mscenter/, and click on “Research Conference 2012.”

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Media welcomed.

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