Supporting the K-12 Classroom through University Outreach

This article provides a field-based example of a series of outreach programs that have been designed in response to current recommendations found in the K-12 outreach literature. These programs begin with university mathematics and science faculty members teaching a 10-day summer workshop to elementary and middle school teachers. Following this workshop, a graduate student provides direct classroom support for 15 hours each week throughout the academic year to the participating teachers. At the high school level, graduate students offer after-school mathematics and science enrichment clubs to students. Early findings indicate a positive impact on teacher understanding of mathematics and science as measured by summer workshop pre and post assessments and participating students' development of mathematical knowledge as measured by a standardized test. Additionally, there has been a recent increase in faculty members' willingness to participate in these outreach programs.