Mathematics achievement
The University of Redlands has been awarded a $500,000 grant to increase mathematics achievement among elementary students in Moreno Valley Unified School District, with a particular focus on students who are of color, are English learners or are from low-income families.
A collaborative project of the University and the district, the “Transforming Lives through Mathematics Leadership Institute” will develop professional learning communities where elementary school teachers and principals work together to develop their knowledge in math-focused content, pedagogy and technology-infused instruction.
STEM success
Researchers at the University of Redlands have received a grant of almost $700,000 to educate and empower students for success in STEM courses and careers by improving their spatial thinking and computational skills at the elementary level.
The National Science Foundation awarded the highly competitive grant, the University’s largest-ever NSF award, to Redlands as leader of a two-year pilot program to develop and test spatial STEM+C (science, technology, engineering, mathematics plus computing) activities in K-5 classrooms.
Mapping religion
Supported by a grant from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, Associate Professor of Religion Lillian Larsen and Associate Librarian Shana Higgins have embarked on a project to research, reconstruct and re-draw the map of world religion.
“In defining religion, maps can be both powerful and misrepresentative,” says Larsen. “For example, simply noting which traditions are included, emphasized and/or ‘left off’ a given map can help students think about religion as a cultural, economic and political force in both positive and negative ways.”
Three workshops this spring will delve into the key issues of mapping, researching and re-presenting religion. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a full curriculum.
