Science Education Leadership
CREST: Center for Restructuring Education in Science & Technology
The Center for Restructuring Education in Science and Technology (CREST) focuses on providing quality science, mathematics, and technology education from early childhood through adulthood. Crest provides leadership in education by developing partnerships with the education and business communities to conduct teacher professional development, research, and public service. CREST:
- Fosters the development of professionals who are leaders in education;
- Conducts research in professional development, teaching, and learning;
- Transforms education through collaboration and applied research at all levels.
Working with scientists, engineers, and educational leaders, the center involves teachers in collaborative programs that are designed to enhance their knowledge of science, technology, and teaching. Underrepresented groups such as females, minorities, and special needs populations are part of the teaching and research focus. CREST activities include:
- Professional teacher development programs, research, and public service to enable teachers to be effective learners, facilitators of learning, and mentors;
- Conducting research on science teaching and learning including the implementation of effective teaching strategies, science concept development, assessment of student understanding, and the team planning and teaching process;
- Developing student-centered, integrated, hands-on, inquiry-based thematic science curricula and technology applications; and
- Assessing program effectiveness and developing performance assessment strategies.