CeMaST

What is CeMaST?

CeMaST Mission

The mission of the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology (CeMaST) is to provide leadership and support for cross-disciplinary activities in STEM initiatives and to promote excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for all students. 

CeMaST Goals

Goal 1. Provide leadership in STEM initiatives and foster connections between disciplines.

(Educating Illinois 2003-2010: Goals 2, 3, 5, 7 - Action Items 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 14).

  • Help shape campus STEM priorities to further educational innovation and research. 
  • Promote the state and national STEM agenda.
  • Simulate, conduct, and support campus STEM research on teaching and learning.
  • Direct efforts to increase the diversity of STEM communities.

Goal 2.  Stimulate and support STEM research and activities on learning, research, and curriculum implementation.

(Educating Illinois 2003-2010: Goals 2, 3, 7 - Action Items 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15).

  • Promote development of exemplary materials and strategies for STEM education.
  • Effect broad dissemination of effective pedagogy and materials.
  • Promote technological, quantitative, and scientific literacy.

Goal 3.  Provide leadership and support for cross-disciplinary activities in STEM initiatives.

(Educating Illinois 2003-2010: Goals 2, 4, 5, 7 - Action Items 5, 11, 12, 15).

  • Promote an increase in the diversity, size, and quality of the next generation of STEM professionals who enter the workforce with two or four-year degrees.
  • Support STEM professionals who continue their studies in graduate and professional schools.
  • Foster connections between all educational levels from K-12 through graduate school and between academia, industry, and professional societies.

Goal 4.  Foster connections between faculty, agencies, and the national agenda in STEM.

(Educating Illinois 2003-2010: Goals 1, 3, 7 - Action Items 3, 7, 16).

  • Encourage faculty to combine teaching and discipline-based research through a variety of funding (grant) opportunities.
  • Develop opportunities and forums for faculty to meet and to exchange ideas and projects with the purpose of working toward the national STEM agenda.
  • Encourage faculty to serve on local, state, and national review panels and to be involved in state and national professional organization.

Goal 5.  Increase the diversity and interaction of STEM communities.

(Educating Illinois 2003-2010: Goals 5 - Action Item12).

  • Encourage and assist individuals within underrepresented groups in attaining excellence in STEM fields.
  • Network students and faculty mentors in NIH Bridges, NSF LS-AMP, URC in Chemistry, and CSEMS with these and other student oriented programs or funded efforts and with local and national organizations.