Public Television STEM Collaborative Kicks-Up Classroom Learning With Real-Life Math Adventures

Public Television STEM Collaborative Kicks-Up Classroom Learning With Real-Life Math Adventures

OWINGS MILLS, Md., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An innovative collaboration among four public television stations helps middle school students answer that age-old question, "Why do I have to know this stuff?" Educators now have access to technology-rich, interactive learning adventures that show students how mathematics is used in real-life ways. Students will put math concepts such as geometry, algebra and proportional reasoning into action by building a skateboard ramp, measuring a roller coaster, making mouth-watering recipes and setting up a rock n' roll tour.

The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Collaborative brought together Maryland Public Television, Alabama Public Television, Arkansas Educational Television Network and Kentucky Educational Television, each holding a steadfast commitment to enhancing classroom education, to develop unique, digital-media projects to help students learn math concepts through real-world online challenges.

The STEM Collaborative projects?Math By Design, Scale City, ProportionLand Park and Rock n' Roll Road Trip? are accessible in one convenient place on the Web at www.stemcollaborative.org where educators can also access standards alignment charts and helpful support materials for effective integration into classroom curriculum.

These brain-boosting explorations provide an alternative way to teach critical content using an integrative approach that resonates well with media-driven youth. Hands-on simulations, videos, interactive activities, and educator guides bring the learning full circle, engaging students in an immersive experience that will change their minds about math. "It's amazing to see students reach that 'aha' moment when they connect the dots and understand why math actually matters," said Gail Porter Long, Chief Education Officer of Maryland Public Television.

Addressing a critical need in the public school systems, the projects were strategically developed to reduce specific gaps in classroom curricula in order to better prepare today's students for tomorrow's workforce. Students in the United States are significantly lagging behind in STEM subject areas, and many students simply are disengaged in math.

Workforce projections for 2014 by the U.S. Department of Labor show that 15 of the 20 fastest growing occupations require significant science or mathematics training to successfully compete for a job. The STEM projects address this need by providing students and teachers with tools and technology to enhance critical 21st century skills in key STEM subject areas.

The project was funded in part by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

SOURCE Maryland Public Television

Maryland Public Television

CONTACT: Betsy Peisach, Maryland Public Television, +1-410-581-4042, bpeisach@mpt.org

Web Site: http://www.stemcollaborative.org

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