Mathematics Newsletter

Thank you for subscribing to the TEA mathematics newsletter!

Below you will find information related to the following topics.

• Employment Opportunities in TEA's Curriculum Division

Employment Opportunities in TEA’s Curriculum Division

The Texas Education Agency has two positions available in the Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division.

• The Mathematics & Science Director provides statewide leadership for the K-12 mathematics and science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the Mathematics Achievement Academies. The Mathematics & Science director leads a team of content experts in providing clarification and guidance regarding the K-12 math and science TEKS, guides the development and implementation of the Mathematics Achievement Academies, provides management for the development of resources aligned to the math and science TEKS, including the TEKS Guide, and coordinates the alignment and interpretation of the math and science TEKS across TEA initiatives.
• The Statewide Virtual School Program Coordinator oversees the Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) and carries out the vision, prioritization, planning and management of the TXVSN Program. The program coordinator effectively engages with a large volume of internal and external stakeholders to support educators and parents, course providers, online schools, and receiver districts regarding the TXVSN. The Statewide Virtual School Program Coordinator also promotes the TXVSN Program and implements ways to improve and streamline the program.
• The Elementary Mathematics and Science Content Specialist provides statewide leadership for the kindergarten–grade 5 mathematics and science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS); reviews and develops resources aligned to the K-5 math and science TEKS, including the TEKS Guide and content for the Mathematics Achievement Academies; coordinates the implementation of mathematics, science, and general curriculum programs and legislation; and serves as a K–5 math and science content expert to support the alignment of the TEKS across multiple TEA initiatives.

The positions are currently posted on the TEA Employment Opportunities page. Interested and qualified candidates can apply for this position using the links above.

Please share this announcement with anyone you think may be qualified for and interested in these positions.

The following messages are provided as a courtesy to educators.

Mathworks Math Modeling Challenge

MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge (M3 Challenge), a program of SIAM (the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics), is a free online contest for high school juniors and seniors. Teams of 3-5 students solve an open-ended problem about a real issue in 14 continuous hours over Challenge weekend. Scholarships totaling $100,000 will be awarded in 2022; the competition has given over $1.65 million to date. For rules, resources, and to register, visit M3Challenge.siam.org. 

Register by February 18, 2022.
Challenge weekend (Friday through Monday): February 25-28, 2022

ROADS on Icy Worlds Student Robotics Challenge

The ROADS on Icy Worlds combined robotic challenge that gives novice teams of interns a chance to tackle a mission to Europa following in the path of the next discovery NASA’s upcoming Europa Clipper mission. Teams will face challenges including engineering and programming, analysis of biological signatures and geologic features, and simulating flight to collect samples and land successfully.

Top teams from across the country will win a trip to a unique NASA opportunity!

You will find all information about the ROADS on Icy Worlds challenge here: http://www.nwessp.org/icyworlds/about/.

Summer Institute—LiftOff 2022: The Artemis Generation

The 2021 LiftOff Summer Institute is a weeklong training event sponsored by NASA's Texas Space Grant Consortium and held at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. This year’s theme is "The Artemis Generation." The event will celebrate NASA’s return to the moon. Applicants must be U.S. citizens currently employed as classroom teachers of grades 5-12, with at least one year teaching experience prior to attending the institute.

2022 NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth and Space Science Internship

2022 NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth and Space Science Summer Intern Program is a nationally competitive STEM program for high school students. The program provides selected students with exposure to Earth and space research. Interns will learn how to interpret NASA satellite data while working with scientists and engineers in their chosen area of work.

Scientists and Engineers at The University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research (UT/CSR) are conducting NASA supported research on astronomy, remote sensing, and space geodetic techniques to help understand Earth systems, natural hazards, and climate science. This summer The Texas Space Grant Consortium (TSGC) and UT/CSR will support a summer intern program where interns will work remotely prior to their on-site internship July 16–July 30, 2022. Housing, meals, and local transportation will be provided for those selected. A limited number of travel scholarships to Texas are available.

Interns are selected on the basis of their academic records, written application that includes written essay questions, introduction video, letter of recommendation, and interest in STEM. The deadline for submitting an application for the summer 2022 internship program is February 21, 2022.

For more information: http://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/sees-internship/

Thank you for your commitment to serving Texas students.

Mathematics Team
Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division
curriculum@tea.texas.gov
(512) 463-9581