Dow Corning Foundation Approves $20,000 Grant for CMCSS Teachers
July 26, 2012
Please note: This article was originally published on 7/26/2012. Information and/or dates from past events may be not be relevant for the current school year.
The Dow Corning Foundation has approved a $20,000 grant to Clarksville-Montgomery County School System to fund the Teacher Extern Program, started this summer with 10 local industries, including Hemlock Semiconductor Group’s Clarksville site.
The program partners math and science teachers from CMCSS with engineers and industry professionals to better understand real life application of the subject they teach.
“This grant is really a testament to the commitment the Dow Corning Foundation and Hemlock Semiconductor have to enhancing the quality of math and science education for this community’s students,” said Schools Director Dr. B.J. Worthington. “They share our belief that when teachers see the applicability of their lessons to real life work and challenges, students are more engaged as they understand the relevance and importance of learning.”
This summer, about 31 high school math and science teachers partnered with Hemlock Semiconductor, Smithfield Manufacturing, Clarksville Gas and Water, Bridgestone Metalpha, Bi-County Solid Waste Management, OEM Tube Assemblies, Hendrickson and the Clarksville Department of Electricity with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Teachers spent about five days with their host industry. Plans for next year involve embedding more math and science teachers in host industries.
Each of the teacher teams developed an industry challenge or challenges that could be taken back for students to problem solve. “This was an enormous investment of time and energy for local industries, but the payoff is expected to be enormous as students apply learning to real world experiences,” Worthington added.
“The Teacher Extern Program is well aligned with the Dow Corning Foundation’s objectives to increase access to math, science and technology education. Hemlock Semiconductor takes pride in supporting innovative opportunities to improve scientific literacy within the communities where we live and work,” said Hemlock Semiconductor site manager Terry Strange. “Externships are a unique and sustainable way help students and teachers alike gain deeper understanding of STEM concepts and apply that understanding in the classroom and real world.”
The Dow Corning Foundation recently approved a total of just over $175,000 in funding to support organizations in Michigan, Tennessee and Kentucky. Established in 1981, the Dow Corning Foundation is an endowed fund supported by contributions from Dow Corning Corporation and Hemlock Semiconductor Group.
Photo caption: Hemlock Semiconductor Group Site Manager Terry Strange (right) presents a $20,000 Dow Corning Foundation grant to CMCSS Director Dr. B.J. Worthington. The grant will fund teacher externships.