PIMMS Completes 2nd Early Childhood Mathematics and Science Leadership Institute
Thanks to a generous grant from the Braitmayer Foundation, PIMMS has afforded a second cohort of early childhood leaders from several districts in Connecticut the opportunity to receive advanced training in mathematics and science education for young children. The project included educators from Middletown, Windham/Willimantic, and Waterbury.

Following an orientation session in July 2005, educators participated in a one-week Summer Institute at Wesleyan University and full-day sessions in Fall 2005 and Spring 2006. Under the guidance of Early Childhood expert Ann Spinelli, teachers explored mathematics and science content, developmentally appropriate activities for young children, and received training in how to observe pre-K students for evaluation of their understanding of basic mathematics and science.

Educators also enjoyed on-site visits from Ann Spinelli and PIMMS mathematics consultant Ann Clark to learn additional strategies and observe mentor teachers in action.  During the academic year, district teams of teachers engaged in collaboration sessions to share ideas and instructional strategies, and discuss solutions for classroom challenges.

At the conclusion of the project in May, 2006, one participant wrote: "This project was very energizing for me. Math really came alive this year for my students! They talk about shapes, patterns and numbers constantly!"

READ DETAILED PROJECT REPORT

Early Childhood Educators attend 2005 NCTM Regional Conference
The Regional NCTM Conference offered a special strand for Early Childhood Educators in October 2005. Funding from a grant awarded to PIMMS by the Elizabeth Carse Foundation, together with a PIMMS negotiated reduced registration rate for Connecticut Pre-School teachers, enabled 207 EC educators to register for the event. The Conference was held in Hartford from October 6-8 and included nationally known experts in the field of early childhood education.

2002-03 Early Childhood Mathematics and Science Leadership Institute
In June of 2002, PIMMS received a grant from the CT Center for School Change to support the CT Early Childhood Mathematics and Science Leadership Institute. PIMMS collaborated with the Early Childhood Bureau of the CT State Department of Education and the Regional Alliance for Mathematics and Science Education at TERC in Cambridge, MA to design, conduct, and evaluate a two-year program. The primary goal of the project was to improve young children's development of mathematics and science concepts in order to increase their probability of future success in elementary school.

Staff from six districts--Middletown, Waterbury, Windham, Meriden, East Hartford, Norwich, and West Haven--participated in the 2002-03 program. Four teachers from district and community-based early childhood programs formed a local leadership team in an effort to build strong relationships between district and community-based early childhood educators.

District teams attended a project orientation session in May 2003 and a two-week Leadership Institute in the summer of 2003. During the following academic year, each teacher was visited three times by project consultants who observed classes, assisted teachers to implement new mathematics and science curricula and instructional materials, evaluated students' interaction with the new content, and provided model lessons for teachers and others in support of their efforts.