BGSU News Service -- Universities, OBOR form partnership to improve math, science education

BOWLING GREEN, O.--Addressing the critical need for both more and better-prepared science and math teachers, Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo are launching an initiative designed to enhance science and mathematics education in northwest Ohio.

The collaborative effort, which formally was announced Wednesday (Sept. 25), is one of three centers of excellence in science and mathematics being established statewide with grants from the Ohio Board of Regents.
Combined with significant funding from both BGSU and UT, the four-year, $1 million grant from the regents will establish the Center of Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education: Opportunities for Success (COSMOS).
In addition to increasing the number and preparedness of science and mathematics teachers, COSMOS will enhance professional development opportunities and retention of teachers, and establish and strengthen partnerships among institutions of higher education and the public schools.

COSMOS faculty will undertake a variety of initiates, including research, teacher recruitment, educational programs, leadership development and course development-- all intended to enhance math and science education in the participating public and parochial schools.

BGSU and UT will each have a COSMOS office, and satellite operations are planned throughout the region. Owens Community College also has been asked to play a role in recruiting more students into the teaching profession. The University of Findlay and Lourdes College in Sylvania also are involved.

Dr. Barbara Moses, a BGSU associate professor of mathematics and statistics, is director of the project. At a news conference, she said the challenge of improving mathematics and science education and teacher preparation is a large one, and is best addressed by combining the resources of many partners.

“The regional centers will tackle this problem together,” she said, adding that such an undertaking is possible in large part thanks to the conducive environment for collaboration created by the presidents of the respective universities and the regents.

BGSU President Sidney Ribeau, who also spoke at the news conference, said, “We all win if we have better educated students, teachers and employees. We all lose if we don’t.”

Jed Osborn, plant controller for the Ball Corporation’s metal food and beverage operations in Findlay, said Ball and other participating companies are eager to promote better teaching of science and mathematics.

“We have employees who cannot read a ruler and must rely on their native intelligence to perform their jobs because they have not been taught basic math and science skills. We need people who come to the job already prepared, because we don’t have time to train them,” Osborn explained.

Tom Noe, vice chair of the Ohio Board of Regents, added that COSMOS is the beginning for many collaborations. “The combined resources of the partners will add up to success for the citizens of northwest Ohio,” he predicted.
Also taking part in the news conference were University of Toledo President Daniel Johnson, BGSU and UT faculty and representatives of other COSMOS partners, which include schools, business and governmental agencies.

The partners include: Lourdes College; the University of Findlay; Toledo Public School District; Toledo Diocesan Schools; Bowling Green City Schools; Hancock, Wood, Lucas and Putnam Counties; Northwest Ohio Educational Service Centers; COSI; the Toledo Zoo; the Ball Corporation; NW Ohio Educational Technology Foundation; Ohio SchoolNet; Wood County Park District; Hancock County Chamber of Commerce; Business Education Network, TL Industries, and Pro-Tech Coating Co.

(Posted October 1, 2002)