History

Funding for SMEEC faculty started in 1985 with an NSF grant to design novel preservice physical science courses. Since then, WSU faculty have received over $3,000,000 of funding for inservice programs in astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, and mathematics for elementary, middle school, and high school teachers.

The precursor of SMEEC, the Science Learning Instructional Center (SLIC) started in 1965. SLIC continues to offer tutorial, computer-aided instructional assistance and other enhancements to undergraduates.

SMEEC has an Advisory Committee composed of faculty from several colleges including the Colleges of Sciences, Education, Engineering as well as representatives from business, industry and public schools.

One of the more innovative programs currently conducted through SMEEC is the Equipment Loan Program. This program started, in 1992, with a five-year grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and continues today. The program serves the needs of more than 100 middle and high school science teachers in the State of Washington each year by providing over $100,000 of science equipment on a loan basis. Visit our equipment loan web site at http://www.sci.wsu.edu/bio/hhp/welcome.html. This program gives school districts access to equipment that most cannot afford to purchase, and puts the equipment into the hands of the students, thereby enhancing the science curriculum offered.