MSEN
InformationMSEN
Information
The MSEN Pre-College Program began at UNC Chapel Hill in 1988 through private funding. The state legislature provided permanent funding for this site in 1992. The UNC Chapel Hill Pre-College Program is one of the six Mathematics and and Science Education Network (MSEN) Pre-College Program sites in the state of North Carolina. The UNC Chapel Hill site serves 17 middle schools and high schools in Durham County, Orange County and the Chapel Hill/Carrboro City schools. Current enrollment figures show the program serving over 830 students grades six through twelve.
The primary goal of the MSEN Pre-College Program (PCP) is to broaden the pool of students pursuing mathematics-and science-based majors and careers. The PCP actively recruits and prepares students of average to above average ability in grades 6-12 who have not been sufficiently exposed to mathematics-and science-based courses and careers. Participation in the PCP by local agencies (LEAs) is entirely voluntary.
In fulfilling its mission, the University of North Carolina Mathematics and Science Education Network applies the resources of the university system to strengthen mathematics and science education in K-16 schools in North Carolina. Not only does MSEN offer programs for teachers, students, and school administrators, it also works to improve curricula and build partnerships between universities, schools, parents, and businesses.
MSEN, with 10 Centers located on university campuses statewide, with six Pre-College sites at these universities, takes a systems approach from a university base. University faculty direct the operations of the centers and provide workshops, seminars and courses for K-12 teachers; these professional development offerings bring them into contact and working relationships with other university faculty, scientists, mathematicians, business/industry executives, and graduate students, and expose them to the most current educational research. MSEN's academic programs are designed and presented by university faculty. Through these partnerships, MSEN works to "strengthen the quality of and increase the size of the teaching base in mathematics and science education in North Carolina as well as to increase the pool of students who graduate from North Carolina high schools prepared to pursue careers requiring mathematics and science."
The Network consists of a central coordinating unit at UNC-Chapel Hill and MSEN Centers located at 10 UNC-system campuses across the state:
* Has a Pre-College Program site attached to the Center
** A Pre-College Program
site only
MSEN consists of two primary components: professional development for teachers and the MSEN Pre-College Program. Professional development programs provide courses that help teachers upgrade instruction skills and certification. Over 80% of the workshops offered to North Carolina teachers by MSEN and its Centers during the 1994-95 academic year were either for university course credit or for re-certification credit. Since 1984-85, over 3,200 professional development opportunities have been offered to North Carolina teachers.
From the 1984-85 through the 1994-95 academic years, enrollment in MSEN teacher training activities has totaled almost 58,000. Over the last 10 years, the Network and its Centers has offered on the average 300 training programs a year.
MSEN is a nationally-acclaimed organization that implements grassroots academic enrichment programming with the goal of improving educational opportunities for North Carolina school children. Through effective delivery of projects that directly impact students, teachers, and parents at the local level, MSEN is changing the face of math and science education in North Carolina.
MSEN administers the Federal Eisenhower
Program, a federal program that provides funding to every state
for mathematics and science teacher training. Under a competitive
process MSEN will distribute approximately 30 grants of up to $27,500
for projects targeting the needs of North Carolina mathematics and
science teachers. The RFP for the next round of grants is currently
being printed and mailed and is also available here on our
homepage.
MSEN applies the knowledge and resources of the University of
North Carolina to strengthen mathematics and science education
throughout the state. The Network assists students, teachers, and
communities by networking, integrating research and best practice,
professional development, enhancing student learning, curriculum
development, and assessment and evaluation.
To improve the quality of mathematics and science teaching and
learning in the schools of North Carolina, the UNC Mathematics and
Science Education Network provides statewide leadership in an effort
to: (1) strengthen the quality and increase the size of the teaching
base in mathematics and science education; and (2) increase the pool
of students who graduate from North Carolina high schools prepared to
pursue careers requiring mathematics and science.
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