UCR Newsroom

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (www.ucr.edu) — It’s a simple mathematics problem that doesn’t add up — more teachers are needed for the future. UC Riverside is doing something about it by getting high school girls on the right path to teaching with “Celebrating Women in Mathematics and Science” May 28 at Arlington High School from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

This annual event combines lectures and panel discussions to illustrate to young women the importance of the fastest growing and best paying career choices that require mathematics and science savvy. These include the areas of engineering, medicine, multimedia communication, computer science, energy and the environment, and teaching. In the teaching profession alone, California is expecting a 33,000 shortfall.

“Our nation’s college population is 57 percent female but less than one-third are majoring in science, technology, engineering or mathematics,” said Pamela Clute, Assistant Vice Provost Academic Partnerships and Executive Director of the ALPHA Center at UCR. “We need more women majoring in these fields and more women choosing to become teachers. Without competent teachers there will be fewer competent students who can become the future scientists and mathematicians.”

UCR has created a partnership with Arlington High School targeting efforts in mathematics and science education. Activities include professional development programs for teachers, enrichment programs for high school students to prepare and motivate them toward college and opportunities for UCR’s undergraduates to explore teaching as a career choice.

Clute, who is the keynote speaker at the event, said exceptional Arlington High School mathematics and science teachers comprise the panel that will provide time for discussions with students. Administrators, school board members and parents will also be attending the event. Riverside Unified School District has a history of commitment to mathematics and science excellence and Arlington High School typifies that commitment.

The University of California, Riverside (www.ucr.edu) is a doctoral research university, a living laboratory for groundbreaking exploration of issues critical to Inland Southern California, the state and communities around the world. Reflecting California's diverse culture, UCR's enrollment of over 19,000 is expected to grow to 21,000 students by 2020. The campus is planning a medical school and has reached the heart of the Coachella Valley by way of the UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center. The campus has an annual statewide economic impact of more than $1 billion.

A broadcast studio with fiber cable to the AT&T Hollywood hub is available for live or taped interviews. To learn more, call (951) UCR-NEWS.