ALPHA Center

About Project ISIS

Project ISIS is designed to cultivate the mathematical talents and interests of women at two critical points in their academic careers-middle school and college. ISIS focuses on middle school girls to motivate interest, strengthen academic preparation, and increase informational resources for parents/guardians, so that they can better support their daughters in pursuing college preparatory courses and experiences. Female undergraduates who demonstrate an interest in mathematics are guided on a pathway to careers in mathematics and teaching.

The goals of Project ISIS are:

• To provide educational opportunities and support for middle school girls to improve their performance in mathematics and encourage them to pursue higher education and careers in mathematics or related fields;
• To establish an academic, financial, and mentoring support structure for female undergraduates who are considering teaching as a career, or who are pursuing advanced degrees in mathematics or related professions; and
• To implement evaluation and dissemination strategies to maximize the project's impact, support replication, and advance the knowledge of the mathematics community.

Who

Project ISIS consists of the collaboration of women at the undergraduate level, faculty at UCR, and credentialed teachers at the middle school level.

Undergraduate Apprenticeships

Apprentices are UCR students in good academic standing who are matched with middle school teachers at a specific middle school site. The apprentices provide tutoring, work with small groups, and present whole class lessons under the guidance and support of the classroom teacher. Apprentices continue this mentor relationship outside of school as well, helping with learning events organized as part of the ISIS program.

UCR Faculty

Female undergraduates are paired with UCR faculty in a mentor/mentee relationship to insure that the information presented to the middle school girls is contemporary and accurate. The faculty mentor provides information regarding potential career paths for female undergraduates as they relate to advanced degrees in education or mathematics.

Middle School Credentialed Teachers

Credentialed mathematics and science teachers are partnered with female undergraduate students who provide support during classroom instruction time. Teachers provide support as mentors, and offer the opportunity for the undergraduates to gain valuable experience in middle school mathematics and science classrooms under the guidance of a credentialed teacher.

Activities/Benefits

Project ISIS involves both the middle school girls and their parents/guardians in the process, helping to foster their understanding of mathematics. The mainstays of the involvement are:

• Classroom Support, where female undergraduates deliver instruction and provide tutorial services, creating a mentoring relationship with the middle school girls.
• Parent/Guardian Outreach, which helps build a support structure by garnering support and encouragement from their parents/guardians. Parents are invited to ISIS events, and are frequently given presentations, helping to increase awareness of the program's impacts on the students' lives.

Further, Project ISIS provides many out of school opportunities, encouraging students to develop their education outside of the school setting. These activities include:

• Fieldtrips to Chaffey College and UCR
• Annual Celebration of Women in Mathematics and Science Kick-Off
• ISIS End of Year Celebration
• Opportunity to attend the Ontario GEMS Summer Academy
• Service Learning Opportunities, such as participating in the "Fold Your Way to Mathematics" ISIS booth at the Ontario-Montclair School District Learning Expo, and "The Mystery of Origami" at the City of Ontario Library