Research Center: CESTEME

The UMBC/BCPS Center for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (CESTEME) was established in October 2004 as part of a National Science Foundation (NSF) Mathematics, Science Partnership (MSP) project. Housed in the Department of Education, the Center is an interdisciplinary collaborative venture to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics education at UMBC and in Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS). Research done through CESTEME will contribute to scholarship in STEM education on a national and international level. Center activities involve engineers, scientists, mathematicians, educators, teachers, and administrators from Baltimore County Public Schools, UMBC, and other stakeholders from the community. UMBC’s Colleges of Arts and Sciences, and Engineering, and the Division of Professional Education and Training are participants.

The Center expects to attract additional funding for interdisciplinary research in STEM education to bring K-16 stakeholders and the public/private sector together to create new models for improving student achievement, teacher development (preservice and inservice), teacher retention and administrator development.