South Dakota Council of Teachers of Mathematics: Working to Improve Mathematics Education for All Students

SD Regional Math Circles provide opportunities for South Dakota educators to engage in rich mathematics tasks to build their own conceptual understanding of mathematics with a community of math learners. Educators engage in grade-specific math tasks and discuss planning and teaching math, progression of the math standards, and creating equitable learning opportunities for all students to engage in high-level math tasks. Participants will also discuss students’ experience, mindset, and confidence in mathematics. 

Register for September events in Sioux Falls, Watertown, Pierre, or Rapid City.

2022-23 Regional Math Circle dates and topics:

• Sept. 23 or 24: Measurement, Fractions, Ratios and Proportions and Algebra
• Nov. 4 or 5: Numbers in Base 10, Place Value, Exponents and Number and Quantity
• Dec. 2 or 3: Geometry 
• March 24 or 25, 2023: Patterns and Algebraic Thinking

One graduate credit will be available if participants attend three of four unique Math Circle events. All travel expenses and district cost for substitutes, for Friday dates, will be reimbursed by the South Dakota Department of Education.

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The two NASA grant awards described below are open for applications from September 14, 2022, through January 5, 2023.  The first (Kelly Lane Earth & Space Science Grant) is limited to schoolteachers only, whereas the second (Dan Swets Robotics Materials Award) is open to both schoolteachers and informal educators.  Applications are due by January 5, 2023.  Applicants will be notified of selection results by February 1, 2023, and winners will be recognized at the SD STEM Ed conference in Huron. 

·         Kelly Lane Earth and Space Science Grant ($10,000 total for two awards):

For SD science and math teachers only - Science and math teachers at public, private, or tribal schools in South Dakota may now apply for the 17^th annual (2023) “Kelly Lane Earth and Space Science Grant” provided by the NASA South Dakota Space Grant Consortium.  Up to two $5,000 grants will be awarded to selected teachers.  The award seeks to improve STEM education in the state through the support of innovative programs in precollege education.  Preference will be given to applications focusing on topics pertaining to space science, earth science, and/or the use of geospatial technology.  Applications must be received by Jan. 5, 2023.  Details at: http://sdspacegrant.sdsmt.edu/KellyLaneTeacherGrant.htm

·         Daniel Swets Robotics Materials Award ($13,000 total):

For SD science and math teachers and informal educators - The NASA South Dakota Space Grant Consortium invites applications for the 12^th annual (2023) “Daniel Swets Robotics Materials Award”.  The award is open to South Dakota teachers/educators who either: A) have taken robotics training or plan to take robotics training and want to begin new robotics programs and teams, or B) have sustained robotics programs/curriculum in their classrooms or at their schools and are in need of additional support due to growth in the number of student participants or aging robotics materials.  Applications must be received by Jan. 5, 2023.  Details at: http://sdspacegrant.sdsmt.edu/DanSwetsRoboticsAward.html

Thomas V. Durkin, CPG
Deputy Director
South Dakota Space Grant Consortium
SD School of Mines & Technology
501 E. Saint Joseph Street
Rapid City, SD 57701

 Phone: (605) 394-1975 Email: Thomas.Durkin@sdsmt.edu Website: http://sd.spacegrant.org

Workshops for Educators

Opportunities for Students

PBS Teacherline

Marian Fillbrandt SDCTM/SDSTA Conference Stipend
Marian Fillbrandt graduated from South Dakota State in 1933 with a Mathematics major. She spent many years teaching math and science. She established the Fillbrandt Endowment at South Dakota State to help South Dakota math and science teachers. A committee of faculty, along with Jeff Nelson with the SDSU Foundation, has determined that this endowment can be best utilized by providing $400 stipends to second through fifth year math and science teachers to attend the SDSTA/SDCTM conference. This will allow new teachers in rural areas to interact with their colleagues with similar professional interests.

The $400 stipend intends to defray the costs of conference registration, accommodations, a substitute teacher for the Friday of the conference if a district will not provide one, and other costs associated with conference attendance.

If you are selected for this stipend, you will be required to write a brief report at the end of the conference stating how the stipend benefited you and what you learned at the conference that you plan to use in your classroom. If you are selected, but are unable to attend for some reason, the stipend money will be returned to the endowment fund. The selection committee will take financial need into account during the selection process.

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