Report of the Committee on Education
for the Year Ending June 30, 2005

Fiscal year 2005 is the first full year of activity for the Sigma Xi Committee on Education. Appropriately, the focus of the Committee's work has been on strategic planning and on defining their roles within Sigma Xi to better meet the goals and ambitions of our members in the area of science and engineering education.

I. Meetings of the Committee

The Committee on Education met on February 11 and 12, 2005 at the Sigma Xi Center in Research Triangle Park, N.C. At that meeting the committee arranged to have regular phone conferences and one telephone conference was held in this fiscal year. In addition, the Committee has worked very effectively through e-mail communication.

II. Activities and Business of the Committee

The Committee on Education has completed a detailed action plan so that both the Committee and the Society can address priority education goals and develop compatible programs during the next 5 years.

The Committee has provided oversight of the Leroy Record Fund ensuring that the funds are used in a manner consistent with the wishes of Mr. Record' bequest. The Committee has recommended using part of the interest from the Record Fund to support the Sally Ride TOYchallenge for a third year in FY2006. In addition, the Committee selected an intern from the National Academy of Engineering's Center for the Advancement of Scholarship on Engineering Education to review other programs that are consistent with the bequest and that Sigma Xi might consider supporting in the future. The report that has resulted will be used to recommend future Sigma Xi collaboration with engineering education programs.

Mentoring continues to be a priority of the Committee on Education. Sigma Xi has been active in MentorNet as an Affiliated Partner. In that role the Society recruits both mentors and protégés for two programs. The One-on-One Program is aimed at undergraduate protégés who will be matched with practicing scientists and engineers usually in a non-academic setting. The Academic Mentoring Program, funded by a grant from NSF will match tenured faculty members with late stage graduate students, post-docs and early career faculty members. To find out more about how to become a mentor or a protégé, please visit www.sigmaxi.org. About 300 members per year have participated as either mentors or protégés in this program.

III. Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education Grants

The Committee on Education reviewed and completed a redesign of the application process for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education (SMEE) Grants on the Sigma Xi Website http://sigmaxi.org/programs/education/chap.smee.shtml. In addition, the Committee has developed a guidance document that outlines the goals of Sigma Xi programs in education and sets specific standards that these programs must meet. The guidance document has been included with award announcements for chapters that have successfully applied for SMEE grants.

Based on a review of eight applications, the committee awarded five chapters SMEE Grants in fiscal year 2005.

• Princeton Chapter for their program, CONNECT-ED.
• Tifton Chapter for their program, Sensing Science - A Festival Activity.
• The Oak Ridge Chapter for their program, Oak Ridge Area Teacher Awards Program
• Colorado School of Mines for their program: Inspiring Technical Competency in the Middle Grades: Technology Camp 101
• Greater Des Moines Chapter for their program, Medical Microbiology Practicum- Summer Program for High School Students

IV. Teacher Award Program

During the year ending 30 June 2005, the Committee continued to endorse the Society's program of supporting chapters to recognize outstanding K-12 teaching in science and mathematics. During the year, 62 K-12 teachers of science and mathematics were honored by 51 chapters and received either a framed certificate of recognition or a plaque. In addition, 48 chapters agreed to at least match a $25 stipend for the teacher that was provided via the Committee. Also, 4 certificates of recognition were provided for individuals who were selected by their chapters for their noteworthy support of research scientists and engineers

V. Members of the Committee

Willie Pearson, Jr. Committee Chair
Denice Denton
Norman Fortenberry
Fiona Goodchild
Kerry Havner
Myra Halpin
Catherine Manduca

Staff Liaison
Linda Schmalbeck

VI. Comments from the Chair

The Committee would like to collaborate with other committees on activities that may be synergistic and in the best interest of advancing the mission of Sigma Xi.