Clemson Brings “PDI2” to the University Center
Greenville, S.C. (June 1, 2010) – The University Center of Greenville (UCG) welcomes the newest organization onsite: Clemson University’s PDI2.
Professional Development for Integrated Inquiry (PDI2), part of the Department of Mathematical Sciences in the College of Engineering and Science, develops research-based curriculum and professional development for mathematics, science, and literacy. Math Out of the Box®, PDI2’s nationally recognized math curriculum, is a hallmark of Clemson University’s K-12 outreach endeavors.
Clemson’s Math Out of the Box curriculum has been approved for adoption in nine states and is used as a primary or supplementary curriculum in many others. One goal of Math Out of the Box is to narrow achievement gaps that now exit in schools across the country. By providing teacher support and hands-on investigations, Math Out of the Box motivates students to love mathematics and to achieve at higher levels.
With the completion of the first edition of Math Out of the Box in June 2008 and its implementation in schools across South Carolina and the nation, the need for research-based professional development to support the teaching and learning of mathematics became the next focus. In the 2009-2010 school year, classroom teachers, coaches, and administrators from over 40 school districts in South Carolina attended workshops provided by the PDI2 staff either at the University Center of Greenville or in elementary and middle schools across the state.
PDI2 partners with organizations and corporations that aim to increase diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathmatics (STEM) disciplines. In one such partnership, PDI2 provides professional development for the Call Me MISTER® interns who spend their summers helping students improve their math, science and literacy skills. The PDI2 staff supports the MISTERS as they teach Math Out of the Box to hundreds of students in community centers in Clemson, Easley and Anderson. This six-year partnership to improve math teaching and learning is funded by DuPont and DOW Chemical.
At the University Center of Greenville, PDI2 is strategically positioned to build research partnerships with South Carolina school districts, universities and corporations.
About the University Center of Greenville
The University Center is a coalition of university and community leaders dedicated to increasing access to educational opportunities for the citizens of the Upstate of South Carolina. The center offers more than 75 undergraduate and graduate degrees through Clemson, Furman, Lander, Medical University of South Carolina, South Carolina State, University of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina Upstate. For more information, please call 864.250.1111 or visit the website at: www.UCgreenville.org.
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