About the MASE Center

A community of K-16 educators collaborating and reflecting to enhance teaching and improve student learning.

To improve the quality of science and mathematics teaching and learning by:
1. supporting the adult learner with focused, long-term professional development.
2. using data to improve our practice as support providers to K-16 educators.
3. providing teachers with research- supported content and pedagogical knowledge that supports students learning.
4. active leadership with local, regional, and national science and education organizations and government agencies.

The Center for Mathematics and Science Education is part of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, in parternship with the College of Education, and is the hub that ties the college with the K-12 community. The Center provides a home to the following projects:

Sacramento Area Science Project—SASP: The Sacramento Area Science Project (SASP) is an education partnership between the University of California, Davis and Sacramento State. SASP is a regional site of the California Science Project, one of the California Subject Matter Projects. SASP provides a range of professional development opportunities for K-12 teachers of science, K-12 administrators, community college faculty, and university faculty.

California State University Sacramento Mathematics Project—CSUSMP: The Sacramento State Math Project is a regional site of the California Mathematics Project, one of the California Subject Matter Projects. The Math Project provides area teachers with opportunities to improve the quality of teaching and learning in their mathematics classrooms.

Science in the River City—SIRC: Science in the River City is an outstanding standards-based professional development program for K-12 science teachers. SIRC is held about once a month after school at Sacramento State during the academic year. The program is designed to deepen teachers’ understanding of science (through hands-on, inquiry-based labs and activities) and provides innovative ideas, lessons, and strategies for teachers to use back in their classrooms. The workshops are taught by university faculty or teacher leaders from the Sacramento Area Science Project. SIRC is supported by a grant from the Intel Corporation.

Science Projects Related to Equity in Education—SPREE: SPREE is a joint collaboration between the MASE Center and the Sacramento State College of Education’s Equity Network, in partnership with the Sacramento County Office of Education. SPREE seeks to improve science instruction in high-poverty, culturally and linguistically diverse schools that host student teachers from the Sacramento State College of Education. SPREE provides professional development for teachers, which includes rich, inquiry-based science content; effective strategies for English Learners and the promotion of equity in the classroom and community. SPREE is funded by a grant from the California Postsecondary Education Commission.

Math Project Saturday Meetings: Saturday Meetings provide excellent professional development for K-12 math teachers during the school year. The standards-based meetings are designed to enrich mathematic content knowledge and understanding. Typical sessions involve deep mathematical thinking, problem solving, lesson analysis, peer coaching, and grade-level specific breakout sessions, all taught using powerful teaching strategies. The sessions are taught by university faculty or teacher leaders from the CSUS Math Project.

The MASE Center is responsible for the design and delivery of professional development in mathematics and science education for K-12 teachers in a 10 county region. Past models include summer institutes, short courses, and follow-up meeting during the academic year. We provide contact services for school districts requesting specific content to support their instructional programs. Lastly, we have partnerships with some local school districts where faculty provide site vists and content expertise to partnership teachers.