Spotlight
USF System: Modernizing Math
| USF News
A digital math program that uses computer applications, Web resources, an interactive SMART Board and group collaboration is helping middle school math students in Pinellas County master key concepts in algebra and geometry. Now, thanks to a $500,000 grant from the NEXT Generation Learning Challenges collaboration, the program is expanding to more teachers and students.
The SunBay Digital Mathematics program, the result of a two-year collaboration between the College of Education at USF St. Petersburg and SRI International, is already showing gains in Pinellas County classrooms.
"We are so excited to expand our work and continue to partner with SRI International and Pinellas County Schools to reach more teachers and students in the middle grades," says Vivian Fueyo, dean of the College of Education and principal investigator on the project. "Success in mathematics, particularly algebra in the middle grades, is directly correlated with future success in the learning of advanced mathematics and science."
Eighteen Pinellas County middle school teachers in 10 schools have participated in the program since it was launched in 2009. SRI International President and Chief Executive Officer Curtis Carlson calls the digital math curriculum his company's "most important project." Based on more than 10 years of research and development, it allows for success in algebra and mathematics regardless of race or socioeconomic background.
Fueyo says extensive systematic research and intensive teacher professional development are behind the program's success.