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, and college faculty.

To read about various program components, please click on the section names below:

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:

  1. 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;
  2. 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
  3. Implement evaluation and dissemination strategies to maximize project impact, support replication, and advance the knowledge of the mathematics community.

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. Levels of involvement include:

Tier 1:
Classroom Experience and Tutoring with Female Undergraduates
Saturday & GEMS Academies
Parent Outreach

Tier 2:
Saturday & GEMS Academies
Parent Outreach

Tier 3:
Classroom Informational Presentations
Parent Outreach

Female Undergraduates
Female undergraduates are assigned to specific teachers at middle schools where they provide teaching, tutoring, and mentoring to the middle school girls. They participate in Saturday Academies, GEMS and Parent Outreach activities.

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.

Classroom Support
A critical part of the project is the use of female undergraduates to support and deliver instruction and tutorial services to middle school girls. Big Sister relationships between female undergraduates and middle school girls are encouraged and fostered through instruction and tutorial assistance at the school site.

Saturday Academies
Saturday Sessions supported and taught by UCR mathematics faculty, middle school teachers, and community/business support 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.

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.

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:

Mary Eggers-Simons
ISIS Coordinator
E-mail: mary.eggers-simons@ucr.edu
Voice: (951) 827-7034
FAX: (951) 827-5465

ALPHA Center
214 College Building South (2nd fl.)
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521

Other Program Contacts:

Linda Braatz-Brown
Director, ISIS
E-mail: lindabb@ucr.edu
Voice: (951) 827-2963
FAX: (951) 827-5465

Mary Eggers-Simons

The E-Stellar Newsletter connects ISIS participants, teachers and partners with up to date news, resources and information about the ISIS progam and ISIS related activities. Download the newsletter by clicking on the issue below (PDF).