CEE and the VA Space Grant Consortium Sponsor Bite of Science

Mc Lean, VA, October 2, 2014 (Newswire.com) - The Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) and the Virginia Space Grant Consortium will sponsor a Bite of Science professional enrichment session, cost-free, for high school teachers on Thursday, October 2, 2014.  Norfolk State University will host this event in the William P. Robinson, Senior Technology Center in room #136.  Bite of Science will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for STEM teachers who wish to broaden their perspective of science in their classroom.

The mission of the Teacher Enrichment Program (TEP) is to assure a future talented and diverse U.S. workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).  TEP provides rural and urban underserved high school teachers the opportunity to connect with experts from industry and academia to explore cutting-edge research and make meaningful professional links with direct benefits for their students. 

Bite of Science is designed to improve teacher’s ability to provide students a context of how science is applied in the real world and inspire students to pursue careers of excellence and leadership in STEM.  This Bite of Science session for teachers is estimated to impact at least 3,425 students in the Norfolk area. 

CEE’s Bite of Science session in Norfolk, VA will feature:

· Patrick Ryan, Manager Engineering, Augmented Reality, of Newport News Shipbuilding

· Dr. Messaoud Bahoura, Associate Professor of Engineering, Center for Materials Research, of Norfolk State University

The Bite of Science speakers will discuss their work and relate it back to the classroom for the teachers to inspire and guide students toward academic opportunities and STEM careers.

The goals of the Teacher Enrichment Program are to:

· Provide teachers with professional enrichment opportunities

· Furnish the opportunity for teachers to ask questions and to interact directly with scientists and engineers

· Foster excitement in teachers to create an interest in students for STEM fields through engagement with STEM professionals in and outside of the classroom

· Inform teachers so they have a better understanding of research and development

· Create awareness of the skills and knowledge needed for the 21st Century STEM worker

· Allow teachers the opportunity to network with their peers

Contact Natasha Schuh-Nuhfer, Ph.D., Director of the Teacher Enrichment Program, or Jennifer Midgley, Program Analyst, at  703-448-9062 to learn more about the cost-free event offered by CEE.