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Project ISIS is a collaborative project of women helping women in pursuing educational opportunities and careers in mathematics. ISIS provides an educational foundation and establishes a support structure that motivates, encourages, and develops mathematics education for middle school girls, along with professional development opportunities for female undergraduates who are interested in teaching as a career or pursuing advanced degrees in mathematics related fields. ISIS establishes mentorships and academic preparation programs between middle school girls, female undergraduates, credentialed mathematics and science middle school teachers, and college faculty. |
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| To read about various program components, please click on the section names below: |
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Project ISIS is designed to cultivate the mathematical talents and interests of women at two critical points in their academic careers—middle school and college. ISIS focuses on middle school girls to motivate interest, strengthen academic preparation and increase informational resources for parents/guardians so that they can support their daughters in pursuing college preparatory courses and experiences. Female undergraduates who demonstrate interest in mathematics are guided on a pathway to careers in mathematics and teaching. In this vein, the goals of Project ISIS are:
- Provide educational opportunities and support for middle school girls to improve their mathematics academic performance and encourage them to pursue higher education and careers in mathematics related fields;
- Establish an academic, financial, and mentoring support structure for female undergraduates who are considering teaching as a career, or who are pursuing advanced degrees in mathematics related professions; and
- Implement evaluation and dissemination strategies to maximize project impact, support replication, and advance the knowledge of the mathematics community.
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Project ISIS involves middle school girls in a series of activities that will enhance their understanding of mathematics and encourage them to develop their education outside of the middle school setting. Opportunity for involvement includes:
 ISIS fieldtrips to Chaffey College and the University of California, Riverside
Annual Celebration of Women in Mathematics and Science Kick-Off
ISIS End of Year Celebration
Opportunity to attend Ontario GEMS Summer Academy
Service Learning Opportunities such as participating in the "Fold Your Way to Mathematics" ISIS booth at the Ontario-Montclair School District Learning Expo and "The Mystery of Origami" at the Ontario City Library
Middle School Credentialed Teachers
Credentialed mathematics and science teachers are partnered with female undergraduate students who provide support during classroom instruction time. Teachers provide mentorship support and the opportunity for the undergraduates to gain authentic experience in middle school mathematics and science classrooms while under the guidance of a credentialed teacher.
Female Undergraduates Apprentices
Apprentices are UCR students in good academic standing who are matched with middle school teachers at a specific middle school site. The apprentices provide tutoring, work with small groups, and present whole class lessons under the guidance and support of the classroom teacher. Apprentices continue this mentor relationship to out of school and service learning events organized as part of the ISIS program.
UCR Faculty
Female undergraduates are paired with UCR faculty in a mentor/mentee relationship to insure that the information presented to the middle school girls is contemporary and accurate. The faculty mentor provides information regarding future career paths of female undergraduates as they relate to advanced degrees in education or mathematics.
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Classroom Support ISIS
A critical part of the project is the use of female undergraduates to support and deliver instruction and tutorial services to middle school girls. Mentorship type relationships between female undergraduates and middle school girls are encouraged and fostered through instruction and tutorial assistance at the school site.
Saturday Academies
Out of school events that are supported and taught by UCR faculty, middle school teachers, and community/business representatives are designed for middle school girls, their parents/guardians and female undergraduates. The events cover topics in mathematics, mathematics teaching pedagogy, real world projects and career awareness.
GEMS
GEMS (Girls Excelling in Mathematics with Success) is an academy for middle school girls in mathematics, especially mathematics as it relates to college and to science, technology, and engineering. Positive attitudes are nurtured as girls learn about community service and work with successful women role models. GEMS academies are offered during the summer.
Parent/Guardian Outreach
Part of building the support structure for middle school girls involves garnering the support and encouragement from their parents/guardians. Project ISIS creates a mechanism for increasing parental awareness and establishing a parent/guardian support structure for middle school girls that builds a deeper understanding and value of mathematics. Parents are invited to ISIS events, as well as presentations to parent groups. |
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Female college students wishing to pursue the possibility of an Apprenticeship with ISIS should complete an application which is available in winter and spring quarter. |
Download application HERE and return to:
Linda Braatz-Brown
Director, ISIS
E-mail: lindabb@ucr.edu
Voice: (951) 827-2963
FAX: (951) 827-5465
ALPHA Center
212 College Building South (2nd fl.)
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
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Linda Braatz-Brown
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 Alliance for Education |
| Chaffey College |
| Ontario City Library |
| Ontario Recreation and Community Services |
| Ontario-Montclair School District |
