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The Center for Science and Mathematics Education (CSME) is one of SF State's primary resources for supporting and training future STEM teachers. We host a variety of programs that offer numerous opportunities for students to excel in their STEM courses, explore STEM teaching, and prepare for credential programs. With decreased state funding for education and the growing cost of living in the Bay Area, we need your support,
Our students are passionate about teaching STEM in elementary, middle, and high schools, or pursing graduate research, but it is a challenge for students to balancing studying and work. That is why at CSME, we offer academic mentoring and support, including stipends, scholarships, and work opportunities.
Your donation to our undergraduate and graduate students is an investment in the equitable future of science and mathematics education in California. Help us with a financial donation to create an endowment for student scholarships, undergraduate research, and science research warriors.
Your donation to our students, future school teachers, and faculty researchers at the Center for Science and Math Education goes far and is highly visible through the various programs we run and support.
Your gift to any of our programs will ensure more students are able to pursue their dream of STEM teaching. Below are various programs you can choose to make a gift. Please visit our programs page or contact CSME Director, Tendai Chitewere, at tendai@sfsu.edu for more information.
How will your support help each program?
Teacher Fellowship is a community of undergraduate students who aspire to be STEM teachers or are curious about pursuing a STEM teaching career. They gain hands-on teaching experience in the classroom and receive mentorship with current teachers within San Francisco Unified School District.
A gift to Teacher Fellowship would provide:
- student stipends, ensuring students can focus on gaining teaching experience and mentorship
- student scholarships for the SF State credential program
- support to attend annual STEM teacher conferences for educator development
San Francisco Math Circle (SFMC) is a math enrichment program that connects SF State students with Bay Area elementary school children to encourage mathematical creative exploration and critical thinking in a fun, interactive afterschool program.
A gift to San Francisco Math Circle would provide:
- elementary school student scholarships for low-income students
- funding for additional SFMC programs at other schools
- funding to hire SF State students as SFMC facilitators
- SFMC uniforms so students and parents safely identify SFMC participants
- engaging and interactive activity materials
- transportation for SF State students to local elementary schools
Learning Assistants are undergraduate students who learn teaching pedagogy by working with professors and students in STEM courses to engage in active learning. These peer-to-peer experiences provide valuable training (and thus learning) on how to teach science. Learning Assistants earn upper division course credits.
A gift to Learning Assistants would provide:
- support for faculty who mentor undergraduate Learning Assistants
- valuable training support for Learning Assistants
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is another key program at CSME. This highly sought after program is often an academic lifesaver for students in core STEM courses. SI includes a series of one-unit courses supplementing the STEM major gatekeeper classes and is a high impact peer-to-peer teaching and learning program. SF State undergraduate student facilitators pass their knowledge, study skills, and encouragement to their fellow SF State students. SI creates a valuable community that spans generations of students. The facilitators learn and gain confidence in STEM teaching. Often, our Teacher Fellows start out by being SI Facilitators, and some pursue their teaching credential or choose a PhD path as a result of their SI experience.
A gift to Supplemental Instruction would provide:
- funding for SF student facilitator employment
- stipends for SI faculty liaison mentors and advisors
- academic materials such as books, photocopies, and other teaching resources that student facilitators need to help their peers learn
Discrete Math is a core concept in mathematics and computer science degree programs. Discrete Math reports on a California-wide initiative to revamp discrete math curriculum and instruction by introducing seven team-based lessons to replace traditional lectures and provide faculty with training on these methods. Early results show improved student engagement, greater instructor understanding of equity-focused practices, and a shift in instructors’ perceptions of student potential.
A gift to Discrete Math would provide:
- professional development for future teachers
- webinars
- mentorship opportunities
STEM HOUSE brings elementary school students in grades 3-5 to SF State where they put on lab coats, goggles, and sit at improvised lab tables to learn about science with SF State undergraduate students. STEM HOUSE helps our students learn pedagogical tools for teaching biology, chemistry, environmental science, and physics. Elementary school students get the experience of being on a college campus and work with a diverse class of SF State teachers-in-training. This pairing results in hands-on, high-interest science learning that is rewarding for everyone involved.
A gift to STEM HOUSE would provide:
- scholarships for SF students
- valuable age-appropriate STEM activity supplies
- safety gear, including gloves, goggles, and lab coats, for student teachers and elementary students
- transportation to low-income students who might not be able to get to campus