About the Center for MSTE

        With the rate of scientific discovery and technological innovation continuing to accelerate, there is a critical need to look at what students learn as well as the nature of the learning experience.  Instructional practice must move forward to keep pace in producing students who are prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow. By having learners participate in the actual process of mathematics, science and technology/ engineering, our experience is that they gain a richer understanding of core principles in all disciplines.

For almost a decade, The College of New Jersey faculty working in our two informal centers for “Design & Technology” and “Inquiry & Design-Based Learning in M/S/T”  have established national leadership in three specific areas of teacher education:

·        Preparing K-12 teachers to develop and implement integrated math, science and technology activities which utilize an inquiry and design-based (I&DB) problem solving approach,

·        Preparing and publishing technologically based integrated curriculum for K-12 school adoption, and

·        Preparing special education teachers to use computer technology to provide access to the curriculum and improve the education of children with disabilities.

Center Goals

Goal 1: Recruitment of Mathematics, Science, and Pre-Engineering Teachers. Increase the number of mathematics, science, and pre-engineering teachers recruited for and graduated from the early childhood, elementary, special education and secondary education programs. 
Goal 2: Promote K-12 Engineering Education. Develop engineering-based instruction, which provides an integrated, problem-based approach to technological literacy, engineering careers and the appreciation of the importance of math and science to solving real-world problems.
Goal 3: Promote Standards-Based Curriculum and Assessments and Innovative Learning Technologies. Continue to provide standards-based curriculum for all pre-service teachers to increase their knowledge of content and pedagogy in science and mathematics. Continue to provide access to innovative learning technologies for early childhood, elementary, middle school, secondary school, deaf and hard of hearing and special education teachers both pre-service and experienced teachers.
Goal 4: Provide Professional Development for Science, Mathematics and Pre-Engineering/Technology Education Teachers. Provide professional learning in science, mathematics and pre-engineering/technology education for practicing teachers. Continue to support professional development schools that are models for recruiting and developing mathematics, science, and pre-engineering teachers.
Goal 5: Dissemination. Disseminate the resulting curriculum, teaching/learning strategies, materials, and models of this collaboration through existing publications and websites, demonstrate curriculum through controlled laboratory settings and selected model school settings, and present materials to local, state, and national professional meetings and forums.  Engage in research that informs state and national policy in mathematics, science, technology and pre-engineering.

Professor Sharon Sherman
Center Director 
Specializing in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education
Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education
School of Education

Professor John Karsnitz
Chair and Director of Center Technological Studies Initiatives
Department of Technological Studies
School of Engineering

Professor Cathy Liebars
Director of Center Mathematics Initiatives
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
School of Science

Professor Daniel Sullivan
Director of Center Pre-Engineering Initiatives
Department of Technological Studies
School of Engineering

Kenneth Maskell
Center Manager