Bite of Science at George Mason University Prince William Campus Strengthens Science Teaching

MCLEAN, Va. - Feb. 10, 2015 - PRLog -- The Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), Capital One, Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, ExxonMobil, and MeadWestvaco Foundation will sponsor a Bite of Science professional enrichment session, cost-free, for high school teachers on Thursday, February 12, 2015 in Manassas, VA.  This Bite of Science session hosted by George Mason University (GMU) College of Science will be held at Discovery Hall Auditorium at the GMU Prince William Campus. Bite of Science will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for STEM teachers who wish to broaden their perspective of science in their classroom.

The mission of the Teacher Enrichment Program (TEP) is to assure a future talented and diverse U.S. workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).  TEP provides rural and urban underserved high school teachers the opportunity to connect with experts from industry and academia to explore cutting-edge research and make meaningful professional links with direct benefits for their students.

Bite of Science is designed to improve teacher’s ability to provide students a context of how science is applied in the real world and inspire students to pursue careers of excellence and leadership in STEM.  This Bite of Science session for teachers is estimated to impact at least 3,400students in the Prince William, Loudoun, and Fairfax school districts.

CEE’s Bite of Science session in Manassas, VA will feature:

· Ogechi Okpechi, P.E., Water Solutions Group at CH2M HILL

· Monique Van Hoek, Ph.D., Associate Professor, National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases at George Mason University

The Bite of Science speakers will discuss their work and relate it back to the classroom for the teachers to inspire and guide students toward academic opportunities and STEM careers.

The goals of the Teacher Enrichment Program are to:

·    Provide teachers with professional enrichment opportunities

·    Furnish the opportunity for teachers to ask questions and to interact directly with scientists and engineers

·    Foster excitement in teachers to create an interest in students for STEM fields through engagement with STEM professionals in and outside of the classroom

·   Inform teachers so they have a better understanding of research and development

·   Create awareness of the skills and knowledge needed for the 21^st Century STEM worker

·   Allow teachers the opportunity to network with their peers

Contact Natasha Schuh-Nuhfer, Ph.D., Director of the Teacher Enrichment Program, at nschuh@cee.org or Jennifer Midgley, Program Analyst, at jmidgley@cee.org, to learn more about the cost-free event offered by CEE.

About the Center for Excellence in Education

The Center for Excellence in Education was founded in 1983 by the late Admiral H.G. Rickover and Joann P. DiGennaro, President of the Center. The Center's mission is to nurture high school and university scholars to careers of excellence and leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and to encourage collaboration between and among leaders in the global community. CEE sponsors the Research Science Institute (RSI), the USA Biology Olympiad (USABO), and the Teacher Enrichment Program (TEP).  For more information about the Center and its programs, visit CEE’s Web site, www.cee.org