GEAR UP sponsors teacher training on campus

Teachers at Bradley Central and Ridgeland High Schools are hopeful their students will become interested in careers in science, math, and engineering as a result of training the teachers received through the Bradley/Walker GEAR UP, a project housed in the Center for Community Career Education on the UTC campus.

Training was sponsored by Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC) and the Coalition for Space Exploration. The College of Engineering and Computer Science hosted the training in the new Engineering, Math, and Computer Science building, providing educators with lunch and a presentation of activities in the departments.

“The partnership we formed with Bradley/Walker GEAR UP for this training was a great opportunity for the College of Engineering and Computer Science to showcase our new facilities and inform them of the programs of study within the college. Teachers influence students and we would appreciate seeing students from these two schools enroll in our program in a few years,” said Dr. Andy Novobilski, department head of Computer Science.

This professional development opportunity allowed Bradley Central and Ridgeland teachers to learn the use of 3-D design software that will provide expanded classroom learning opportunities for students. Nineteen teachers participated.

“Chattanooga was one of six sites selected nationally to provide this training to teachers,” said Sandy Cole, GEAR UP Project Director. “The teachers that attended received certification and permission to use up to 300 site licenses (valued at $1,000 each) for their schools and students. The software can be used either at school or at the homes of teachers and students.”

With the goal of this national initiative to increase the number of youth interested in careers in science, math and engineering, the training garnered positive teacher feedback, including these comments:

“I think kids will enjoy using this software.”
“ This is a great tool to construct visuals and move from 2-dimension to 3-dimension.”
“This is a great demonstration tool for geometry and pre-calculus.”