What We Do

Our Mission

The mission of CMASTE is to promote and encourage excellence in mathematics, science and technology education in the province of Alberta, across Canada and worldwide, by enhancing and encouraging the professional development of mathematics, science and technology educators in the following ways:

initiation and facilitation of education-related research and development projects
creation and evaluation of research-based resources and services
publication and translation of research findings in mathematics, science and/or technology education
establishment and maintenance of a network of researchers, educators and education partners

Our Objectives

Our objectives align with the strategic goals of the University of Alberta as outlined in “For the Public Good”.

To bring together and coordinate personnel in the asking and informing of critical, ethical and contemporary questions in the areas of mathematics, science and/or technology education to enhance educational opportunities that attend to concerns addressing a range of perspectives and equitable access for diverse communities.
To provide consultative assistance for schools, school authorities, universities, government agencies, businesses, industries and not-for-profit organizations, as well as provide a forum for the exchange of ideas for enhancing mathematics, science and/or technology education.
To create, undertake and sustain a network of collaborative research and development projects in mathematics, science and/or technology education with educators and professionals within the University of Alberta and beyond.
To engage in knowledge mobilization and translation activities related to mathematics, science and/or technology education locally, nationally and internationally in scholarly, professional, public and community settings.
To seek external financial resources to support research and development work in mathematics, science and/or technology education, as well to fund activities of the Centre.

Our History

In 1990 the University of Alberta established a centre for the promotion of teaching, research and curriculum excellence in school science, mathematics and technology education. The Centre was opened by Dr. Martha Piper, VP Research, and the opening presentation was made by Dr. Richard Taylor, then recent Nobel Laureate in physics. Dr. Heidi Kass was the first Director of CMASTE.

Despite its modest budget, the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (CMASTE) grew to provide leadership in disseminating current research in science, mathematics and technology education, working with teachers locally and in developing countries, and facilitating opportunities for collaborative work between business, government and education.

A commitment to a role as a national centre remained as a key goal of CMASTE, but reaching this goal requires considerable funding support. A generous donation to CMASTE from Imperial Oil, Ltd. enabled the Executive Board of CMASTE to develop a new national organization built on the foundation of CMASTE: The Imperial Oil National Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (IONCMASTE). When this funding ended, IONCMASTE again became CMASTE.

Annual Reports

The Faculty of Education and the University of Alberta require annual reports for centres. These reports also serve to describe the variety of activities that the centres involve themselves in.

Access to CMASTE and IONCMASTE annual reports are provided from 2005 to present.

Note that the reports to the Imperial Oil Charitable Foundation reflect the period that CMASTE became IONCMASTE--the Imperial Oil National Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education.