MAST logo

MAST Resource Center
1023 Sciences Laboratory Building
UC Davis
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616

MAST Staff

MAST@ucdavis.edu
phone: (530) 754-9621
FAX: (530) 754-9625


Quick References

About the Logo

Mathematics and Science Teaching Programs at UC Davisgo to UCD home page

The Mathematics and Science Teaching Program at UC Davis (MAST) is a contribution to the UC Science and Mathematics Initiative.

Our mission is to increase the number and quality of math and science teachers by:

bullet point Enriching students’ experiences in math and science classrooms
bullet point Offering academic opportunities to work in K-12 classrooms
bullet point Giving effective academic advice
bullet point Creating multiple pathways for K-12 teacher preparation
bullet point Meeting the needs of under-represented students
bullet point Reducing the attrition of math and science majors
bullet point Increasing articulation and outreach to high school and community college students
A letter from Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California and Robert C. Dynes, President, University of California.

MAST is featured in the 2006 UC Davis Annual Report: section "Preparing great leaders"

MAST Resource Center hours:
by appointment (please e-mail your preference)
1023 Sciences Laboratory Building

MAST Office hours - Spring Quarter 2008
bullet Charlie Horn: Friday 11-12:30 pm
bullet Mary-Betty Stevenson: Monday and Thursday 10-11 am or by appointment
bullet Sara Sweeney: available most weekdays 9 am - 4 pm. Closed 12-1

bullet bullet bullet

Internship opportunities for:
bullet Fall Quarter 2008 (pdf file)
Help students learn Math or Science in K-12 Classrooms

Classroom experienceDo You Want To Be a Teacher?
The lack of qualified teachers of math and science in the United States is recognized as a threat to our economic future and our leadership position in the world. Good teachers are desperately needed and opportunities for rewarding careers are abundant nationwide.

But what if you’re not ready to decide?

Keep Your Options Open!
Most teaching credentials require undergraduate preparation and post-graduate work, so plan carefully.

bullet point Choose courses that satisfy the requirements for your degree AND a credential program. Most credential prerequisites can be met using required General Education courses.

bullet point Choose a major that prepares you to teach AND to continue with other math or science majors or graduate school. Consider the Natural Sciences major.

bullet point Explore your interest in teaching with experience in Kindergarten-grade 12 (K-12) classrooms.

How Can MAST Help?
The MAST program offers:

bullet point Academic planning advice
bullet point Information about multiple pathways to a teaching credential
bullet point Seminars that explore learning in K-12 classrooms
bullet point Opportunities to enrich your experience in math and science courses
bullet point Information about scholarships and financial aid for prospective teachers

Preparing to Teach

bullet point Plan Early. Let us help you keep your options open by providing you with a way to use your General Education courses to prepare for a credential program.
bullet point Plan Wisely. We will show you how to keep your options for majors as broad as possible while preserving your opportunities to become a teacher.
bullet point Plan Often. Meet with our academic advisers to work out those inevitable “glitches” in your academic plan.
bullet point Didn’t Plan Well Enough? We will provide you with options for becoming a teacher. It’s never too late!

Teaching childrenExplore Teaching
MAST sponsors three classes for academic credit that permit participants to explore teaching in an academically rigorous but practical and supportive environment. Each includes 2-3 hours per week in a K-12 classroom, paired with an experienced teacher, and 2 hours per week of lecture and discussion based on assigned reading and experiences in the K-12 classroom.

bullet point The MAST I seminar focuses on how individual students learn science and math in elementary classrooms. Participants work with individuals or small groups of students, and complete their own case study on learning.

bullet point The MAST II seminar makes the transition between learning and teaching with experience in a middle school. Participants complete a case study on identifying the learning needs of middle school students and creating lesson plans to meet them.

bullet point The MAST III seminar will complete the transition to teaching in a high school classroom. The seminar will focus on meeting the needs of entire classes of students. (Prerequisite: MAST I & II or teacher waiver)

For more information on MAST at UC Davis, please contact: Mary-Betty Stevenson, MAST Center Director
or stop by the MAST Resource Center, 1023 Sciences Laboratory Building (by appointment)