More Than 300 Leading Thinkers, Teach For America Corps Members and Alumni Expected at Second Annual Gathering
PALO ALTO, Calif., April 11, 2008--How will we improve math and science education in our country? What steps can we take to lay an early foundation for student success in these subject areas? How can we incorporate technology into the classroom to increase student achievement?
These are some of the questions on tap for the Amgen-Teach For America Mathematics and Science Summit, to be held April 12 at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif. The second annual event will bring together Teach For America corps members, alumni, and leaders from a variety of sectors to consider key strategies for advancing mathematics and science education, inspire greater involvement in support of math and science education, and maximize connections to professional resources and opportunities.
Teach For America is committed to bringing outstanding math and science teachers to our lowest-income communities, where there is often a disproportionate need. Today, more than 1,350 top college math and science graduates in the Teach For America corps are teaching math and science to more than 115,000 secondary school students. By 2010, 2,000 corps members are projected to be teaching these subject areas to 170,000 students. Equally important, Teach For America is engaging its alumni in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields to answer the call for long-term, fundamental change.
The Amgen-Teach For America Mathematics and Science Summit convenes Teach For America corps members, alumni, and committed professionals for panels and workshops on the major challenges and potential solutions surrounding the provision of high-quality science, technology, engineering, and math education for all children. This year's summit will feature a keynote address by Gerald F. Wheeler, executive director of the National Science Teachers Association, and expert panelists such as best-selling author and consultant Geoffrey Moore; Stanford University professor and renowned futurist Paul Saffo; Darren Shou, director of university research at Symantec; and 2005 National Teacher of the Year Jason Kamras (Metro D.C. Corps '96). Panel discussions and workshop sessions are scheduled on topics including Building Early Foundations for Math and Science Success, Determining and Defining Teaching Quality in Math and Science, Developing Public-Private Partnerships that Work, and Integrating Technology in the Classroom as a Tool for Student Achievement.
"Our country's urgent need for excellent math and science education demands that we do more," said Wendy Kopp, CEO and founder of Teach For America. "We are excited to build on the energy generated at last year's summit and to further nurture the sense of possibility and passion for discovery in classrooms and beyond."
The Amgen-Teach For America Mathematics and Science Summit is a key component of Teach For America's math and science initiative, which includes targeted recruiting of math and science majors and supplemental training and support of corps members teaching in these subject areas. In 2006, the Amgen Foundation joined Teach For America as its National Math and Science Partner, pledging $5 million over five years towards the partnership to bring outstanding teachers to our country's lowest-income communities. Each year, 50 math, science, and engineering college graduates are designated as Amgen Fellows and receive a signing bonus for joining Teach For America, as well as financial support for their attendance at the annual summit in the spring of each year.
"Amgen Foundation's partnership with Teach For America is an essential part of our efforts to advance math and science education in the country," said Jean J. Lim, president of the Amgen Foundation. "The summit is an excellent opportunity to bring the Amgen Fellows together with experts in education and innovation in an effort to help build a new generation of leaders in education who can inspire their students to explore a future in science."
About the Amgen Foundation
The Amgen Foundation seeks to advance science education, improve patient access to quality care, and strengthen the communities where Amgen staff members live and work. Since 1991, the foundation has made nearly $110 million in grants to local, regional, and national nonprofit organizations that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways. It has also supported disaster relief efforts both domestically and internationally.
About Teach For America
Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. This year, more than 5,000 corps members are teaching in over 1,000 schools in 26 regions across the country, and more than 12,000 Teach For America alumni continue working from inside and outside the field of education for the fundamental changes necessary to ensure educational excellence and equity. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org.
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Contact:
Kristen Davis
Amgen Foundation
805.447.3008
kristend@amgen.com
Kay Anuluoha
Teach For America
212.279.2080 x193
kay.anuluoha@teachforamerica.org