Contact: Aga Haupt
To help middle- and high-school science, mathematics and technology teachers learn the practical sides of classroom instruction, a Mississippi State outreach program has them working far from chalkboards and pop quizzes.
Now under way, a four-week course with the formal name of "Research Experiences in Industry" is designed to help educators "see concepts put to use in the real world so they can better help students prepare for the workplace," said Sandra H. Harpole, director of the university's Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology.
"As they intern with such industries as Pascagoula-based Northrop Grumman-Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding, the teachers also are learning about career opportunities in Mississippi and the job skills they require," the physics professor added. The Tennessee Valley Authority and Red Hills Mine in Ackerman are other corporate sponsors.
Now in its second year, REI is supported by the National Science Foundation and the Fast Forward Mississippi Program, a state school-to-work initiative led by the Office of the Governor, Department of Education and Institutions of Higher Learning, among others.
"The grant from the Fast Forward Program made it possible for us to increase teacher stipends and the total number of participants," Harpole said. In addition to providing $100 a day, room, food and travel expenses are covered, she explained.
With state agency support, the program has doubled the number of participants. This year's group includes 41 teachers and one university student majoring in elementary education.
The 2002 REI class includes [by hometown]:
BILOXI--Jeanette Baucum, Carolyn Cadney, Clementine Fantroy, and Imogene Fortenberry.
BRUCE--Jamie Lawler, Jessica Paseur and Jettie Pettit.
CANTON--Melford Smith.
CHARLESTON--Robin Douglas and Barbara Finke.
COLDWATER--Marcella G. Lentz, a University of Mississippi student.
COLLINSVILLE--Kathy Bounds, Jane Cumberland and Mary Jones.
D'IBERVILLE--Patti Brooks and Linda Osley.
GREENVILLE--Lashanda Colbert and Diane Lynn Morris.
GULFPORT--Paulette Drake.
KOSCIUSKO--Virginia "Jenni" Gallagher and Barbara Wasson.
LONG BEACH--Gail Donald, Marilyn Franke, Nancy Head, Rebecca Mullins, Adrianne Powers, and Darleen L. Randall.
MAGNOLIA--Karen Hoffman, Della Pierce and Kim Rawls.
MERIDIAN--Amy Wright.
MOUND BAYOU--Martha D. Byrd and Nia Harris-Kimble.
OCEAN SPRINGS--John S. Rusk.
STARKVILLE--Rosemary Cuicchi and Jensy Hill.
RALEIGH--Keith Webb.
RAYMOND--Linda E. Hicks.
TAYLORSVILLE--Ashley Mathis and Rebecca Pierce.