What is NCAMSC and What is Its Vision?

The North Central Arizona Mathematics and Science Consortium is comprised of school districts, private schools, post secondary education institutions, and educational agencies who have joined together to develop a Regional Training Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Applications.

We envision the North Central Arizona Mathematics and Science Consortium as a catalyst that effectively instills or rekindles an excitement and enthusiasm for mathematics and science. We see our purpose as enabling learners to acquire the knowledge, confidence, and ability to apply mathematics and science throughout their lives.

Consortium Goals

• Provide professional development opportunities to improve mathematics and science education
• Provide standards-based activities in mathematics and science
• Provide mathematics and science site-based assistance to consortium schools
• Partner with Yavapai College to provice a mobile science and mathematics lab
• Provide parent, student, and community workshops related to mathematics and science
• Serve as a mathematics and science resource center for consortium schools
• Develop collaborative efforts with other groups to improve mathematics and science education
• Promote student enhancement programs in mathematics and science

Consortium Objectives

• To identify, select, and train teachers to serve as trainers and mathematics and science resource personnel in each district.
• To expand and improve pre-service training, in-service training, and re-training of teachers in the fields of mathematics, science, and technology applications.
• To train teachers in instructional use of computer, video, and other technologies as part of their mathematics, science, and technology applications training.
• To assist teachers in further incorporating higher order analytical and problem-solving skills as an instructional methodology.
• To provide teachers with incentives to undertake projects for the improvement of their teaching and development of more effective instructional materials.
• To develop collaborative efforts with higher education, private foundations, and other private and community resources.
• To make site-based assistance available to member schools in mathematics, science, and technology applications.
• To serve as a mathematics and science resource center for member schools

Three Major Emphases

Delivering quality comprehensive standards-based professional development including pre-service and in-service training of teachers in the fields of mathematics, science, and technology.

Developing collaborative efforts with schools, higher education, private foundations, state agencies, and private and community agencies that share common goals.

Serving as a regional team that identifies common areas of need and focuses on specific strategies that improve the teaching of mathematics and science and ultimately the quality of our educational product--the student.

NCAMSC Membership 2007-08

The following districts and schools have committed their support to the NCAMSC.

Memberships:	The Orme School
Ash Fork District	Park View Middle School
Bagdad District	Prescott District
Beaver Creek District	Primavera School
Chino Valley District	Sacred Heart School
Clarkdale-Jerome District	Seligman District
Congress Elementary	Skull Valley District
Hillside District	Skyview School
Humboldt District	Tri City Prep
Kestrel High School	Wickenburg District
Kirkland District	Yarnell District
Mayer District	Yavapai College Teacher Prep
Mingus Springs School	Yav. County H.S./and Detention School

Liaisons with other educational institutions have been established through membership on the Advisory Board. These include:

Partnerships:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ.	Sharlot Hall Museum
Highland Center for Natural History	Univ. of Ariz. Cooperative Extension
Humboldt Unified School District - Career & Technical Education	Western Yavapai Conservation Education Center
Northern Arizona University	Yavapai Community College
Prescott College	Yavapai County Schools
Prescott National Forest	Yavapai County Tech Prep
Community Representatives:
Prescott	Prescott Valley
NCAMSC Resource Chair	Wickenburg

 

School Liaisons & Responsibilities

Although NCAMSC has an Advisory Board which oversees and makes recommendations on all activities, it is very important that all staff members at each school have an on-site contact person. The principal of each school in the Consortium is asked to name an individual who will serve as liaison between the school and the Consortium. The liaison is the contact person who will receive information from the Consortium concerning upcoming professional growth opportunities, as well as other professional information relating to mathematics, science, and technology education.

The school liaison receives Liaison Updates concerning professional growth opportunities and other mathematics, science, and technology activities which may be of interest to educators on the staff. It is the responsibility of the liaison to ensure that this information sent from the NCAMSC director and advisory board reaches all educators at the school site. This can be accomplished in several ways:

• Inform building principal and other administrators of events and ask for support in encouraging staff to attend NCAMSC programs.
• Post notices around the school. If possible, have a bulletin board dedicated to NCAMSC and related mathematics, science, and technology notices.
• If there is a staff bulletin at the school, put reminders about workshops or other events in this publication.
• Distribute flyers to all staff members, when appropriate.
• Discuss program offerings and events at faculty/staff/department meetings.
• Distribute surveys to staff, collect, and return to the NCAMSC.

The Consortium appreciates the efforts of these volunteers and encourages all staff members to share mathematics, science, and technology information through the vehicles mentioned above.