Math + Science = Global Competitiveness at CASMIC
The past several years, education has suffered a decrease in funding in Colorado and nationally. In the meantime, international investments in education have increased, causing the United States to fall behind in the global economy.
CASMIC, the Center for Applied Science and Mathematics for Innovation and Competitiveness, aims to remedy that. The center, which celebrated its inauguration Sept. 8 at the Tivoli, is designed to promote partnerships between the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, school districts, the business sector and other institutions of higher education.
"Every major university is being asked to step up. Today we’re stepping up to increase our American competitiveness and innovation,” Provost Mark Heckler told about 60 representatives from UCDHSC, the National Parks Service, Adams 12 School District, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and Metropolitan State.
Carole Basile, director of the new center, said changing public perception about the importance of math and science education is the first step toward fixing the system. “Often you hear people say ‘I’m really not very good at math, but that’s OK.’ That’s not OK,” she stresses. “The reason we are here is to increase the potential to better educate in the areas of math and science.”
Among its many goals, CASMIC aims to:
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create opportunities for all students to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for career exploration in disciplines requiring math and science
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advocate for policy that promotes teaching, learning and research in math and science
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bridge the gaps across K-12 schools, colleges and universities, community advocates and business partners so that students can be competitive in a global society
The center is based on the seventh floor of the CU-Denver Building. It is funded by UCDHSC, the National Science Foundation, private foundations and individual donors. For more information on CASMIC, call the center at 303-556-3336 or contact Basile at carole.basile@cudenver.edu.