This free two-day workshop is to assist community college faculty in preparing future teachers in science education. NASA Earth and space scientists and educators share authentic inquiry activities, data, and resources related to key topics from the national science standards. The NACCTEP pre-conference institute in 2010 will include a focus on NASA Earth science data and the theme of climate change. Participants receive a $300 stipend.

• Explore standards-based concepts using authentic inquiry.

• Discuss current science research with NASA scientists.

• Identify ways to address Earth and space science misconceptions.

• Explore collaboration plans with colleagues.

For additional information please click here.

Education Department at South Texas College

By Arturo Montiel, South Texas College, McAllen, Texas

The Education Department at South Texas College (STC) experienced a 65 percent growth rate in the 2008-2009 school year and is forecasted to see another 30 percent in 2009-2010. The department has three Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degrees, EC-6 Generalist, Middle School 4-8 Generalist, and Grades 8-12; and an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, Instructional Teaching Assistant. Currently, the Education Department has over 1,100 majors working toward an AAT degree and seven full-time faculty to serve students. The graduating class of May 2009 included over 400 Education Majors applying for their AAT degree. Transfer institutions of higher education are the University of Texas-Pan American, University of Texas at Brownsville, Texas A&M University -Kingsville, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and Texas A&M University-Laredo.

The Education Department has evolved into a pipeline for students who seek teacher certification in Texas. The Education Department in conjunction with other STC academic/workforce programs offers high school dual enrollment, a Substitute Teacher Certificate, AAT, AAS, BAT, an alternative teacher certification, online AAT degrees, and a $1,000 annual scholarship awarded to a qualifying education major. This pipeline has served the Education Department well by helping students work a flexible part-time schedule as a substitute teacher for extra money while attending college full- or part-time. Upon completion of the AAT/AAS, a student can matriculate to a university of their choice for traditional teacher preparation or remain at STC to pursue a bachelor’s degree and alternative teacher certification. In addition, the Education Department serves our area school district’s education paraprofessionals by offering an AAS degree that is specifically designed for students who are currently assisting teachers in the classroom.

STC is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Baccalaureate and Associate degrees. More than 22,000 students attend STC; and a faculty and staff of more than 1,800 serve STC’s five campuses. The college offers more than 100 degree and certificate program options, including associate degrees in a variety of art, science, technology, allied health, and advanced manufacturing fields of study. The college also offers eight online associate degrees options, as well as Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) degrees in Technology Management and Computer and Information Technologies. STC is one of only three Texas community colleges accredited to offer a BAT degree and the only community college in Texas accredited to offer two bachelor’s degrees.

STC’s Vital Statistics

• More than 60 percent of the student population are the first in their family to attend college
• More than 95 percent of students are Hispanic
• More than 75 percent of students (not including dual enrollment students) take advantage of some form of financial aid
• More than 35 percent of students go on to immediately pursue a bachelor’s degree
• Class size averages 26 students per faculty member.

For additional information on South Texas College Education Department, visit the college website at www.southtexascollege.edu.