SciTEC was originally conceived to meet the many challenges facing Louisiana schools in the new environment of accountability and as a shift in accepted pedagogy requiring the development of higher-order thinking skills in students and the incorporation of real-world experiences and hands-on learning activities that have caused classroom teachers to re-evaluate their teaching practices. In addition, SciTEC strives to address the acute shortage of teachers in the critical areas of math and science, the high percentage of uncertified teachers in Louisiana classrooms, and the low number of economically disadvantaged and minority students that enter post secondary education programs.

---

OBJECTIVES
In order to meet these challenges, the following primary objectives have been established for SciTEC:

Foster development of partnerships with K-12 institutions
Assistance is provided to school districts in the development of programs that address district specific needs. This currently includes demonstration teaching projects and alternative certification programs.

Develop and implement innovative curricula
Faculty expertise in pedagogy and content area experts collaborate to develop curricula that meets state frameworks and prepares students for the pursuit of higher education

Improve teacher preparation programs
Providing a variety of field experiences to better prepare teacher candidates for the classroom environment.

Promote professional development opportunities for inservice teachers
Through the NASA Educator Resource Center and with the cooperation of faculty, programs are developed to address the specific needs of teachers. Whether the focus is on content or teaching methods, the College of Education is well prepared to provide programs to meet the needs of school districts.

Promote student and faculty development
Through Saturday Science programs, summer programs, and other activities of the college, both faculty and students have the opportunity to interact with K-12 students to enhance educational growth.

Promote partnerships with business and industry.
It is essential to recruit and foster partnerships with area business and industry leaders to insure that educational programs provide the private sector with a pool of potential employees that possess the necessary skills to make a positive contribution to their employers. While the financial support provided by the private sector is essential, the contributions in knowledge and expertise are essential.

---

PROGRAMS
A few of the programs currently under the direction of SciTEC include the IDEA Place, the Louisiana Tech University Planetarium, and the NASA Educator Resource Center (ERC). The IDEA Place is a hands-on math and science discovery center filled with interactive exhibits that give visitors the opportunity to explore a variety of scientific phenomena. The NASA Educator Resource Center was awarded to the College of Education by NASA in 1999 in part because of its demonstrated ability to develop and implement collaborative partnerships with area school districts. The ERC provides NASA educational resources and training to teachers throughout Louisiana.

---

SUPPORT
SciTEC activities are supported exclusively by external funds awarded by such agencies as the  National Science Foundation, The Math Science Education Act (MSEA), the Louisiana LEARN Commission, the Louisiana Systemic Initiatives Program (LaSIP), the Louisiana Board of Regents, private foundations such as the Toyota Foundation, and by our community business partners, private donors, and members.


If you would like more information about the programs and services available through SciTEC, please contact us.