Michigan Tech Reaches Out to K-12 Students, Teachers

“The scope and range of Michigan Technological University’s involvement in K-12 education is impressive,” said Board of Trustees member Lenora Ashford in her Academic Affairs Committee report to the Michigan Tech governing board at its regular meeting today.  “The next generation of Michigan Tech students is now being prepared in the K-12 schools, so the University’s dedication to their success makes perfect sense.”

In a report requested by the Academic Affairs Committee at a July 2009 Board retreat, Interim Provost Max Seel noted that Michigan Tech offers:

•      About a dozen professional development courses to an average of 200 teachers each summer.

•      More than 20 K-12-related projects supported by $12.7 million in outside funding during the 2009-2010 academic year.

•      The only Peace Corps Master’s International Program in Science Education in the nation.

•      Teacher certification in 11 fields. Since 1971, more than 900 students have earned certification to teach grades 6 to 12, along with a Bachelor of Science in an academic field. They currently teach in 28 states.

•      A Master of Science in Applied Science Education to practicing K-12 teachers.

The K-12 report was prepared by Brad Baltensperger, chair of Tech’s Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences—home to the Division of Teacher Education.

In other action, the Board:

•      Approved awarding of more than 400 degrees at mid-year Commencement on Dec. 12, 2009.

•      Granted emeritus rank to retired professors Alison K. Hoagland, Department of Social Sciences, and Alan J. Brokaw, School of Business and Economics.

•      Approved a revised project cost for the Great Lakes Research Center, originally estimated at $25 million and now expected to cost 25,337,000, and authorized the University to proceed with final design and solicit bids for construction. 

•      Approved amendments to the constitution and bylaws of the Graduate Student Council, including a change of name to Graduate Student Government.

•      Approved late fee payment assessments.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.