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Teachers Train In Robotics This Summer
Fri, Apr 11 2008
LeTourneau University recently received a renewal of an $87,000 Teacher Quality Grant to conduct seminars June 9 -20 to teach teachers how to integrate robotics into their high school math and science classes. The funding is from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board through the University of Texas at Austin’s Dana Center. The seminars will be held on the campus of LeTourneau University, 2100 S. Mobberly Ave.
“The focus this year will be on middle school math and science,” said grant coordinator Dr. Craig Varnell. “Under the No Child Left Behind Act, these grants improve the quality of teaching through providing professional development for teachers, which in turn, results in improved student achievement.”
Using LEGO® NXT Robotics Kits, these seminars provide developmental activities for teachers to use in the classroom to increase student knowledge and understanding in math and sciences through learning opportunities integrating robotics in the classroom.
“Teachers who went through this program last summer continue to rave about the training and ongoing support they continue to receive from LETU in integrating robotics into math and science education,” Varnell said. “This 2008 grant also supports the math and science teachers in the Global Academy at Longview High School. We will be working on integrating technology into math and science by using a software package that integrates artificial intelligence into the learning process at that school. This software package helps us assess the math levels of these students.”
Teachers who are interested in enrolling in the program are encouraged to apply until May 15. A stipend will be paid at the rate of $100 per day for 10 days, plus additional robotic resources will be provided to the teachers to use in their classrooms next year.
For more information, teachers can contact Varnell at (903) 233-3342 or by e-mail at CraigVarnell@letu.edu or can visit the Web sites at www.letu.edu/lri.
