Jan. 25, 2007 The University of Texas at El Paso has launched a new initiative to increase the number of qualified math and science teachers. Known as the UTEP Math and Science Teachers (MaST) Academy, the initiative has received a $600,000 gift from global business solutions provider Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) to establish the academy and its programs. “Preparing today’s UTEP math and science students to be highly effective teachers will enable future generations of El Pasoans to compete successfully with their peers across the globe and contribute significantly to the future development of this region,” UTEP President Diana Natalicio said. Ten UTEP students have been selected as MaST Academy scholars. The innovative academy is led by UTEP’s College of Science in partnership with the College of Education and area school districts. Read more… – Laura Cruz – photo by Chad Puerling

Jan. 23, 2007 According to the National Council on Patient Information and Education, one of the leading problems in treating illnesses is patients' failure to take medications correctly. Pharmacist and UTEP graduate Laura Quijas answers a patient's questions about an over-the-counter medication. And because almost two-thirds of Americans currently use medicines, the UTEP-UT Austin Cooperative Pharmacy Program has begun work on a project to address medication literacy in the region. The project is funded by a one-year grant for $179,995 from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. UTEP pharmacy researchers plan to conduct medication-literacy assessments in the community, and identify and evaluate the availability of high-risk medications in Mexican pharmacies. Researchers will also develop a bilingual medication-literacy curriculum for promotoras, community health educators; and create an educational program for pharmacists to improve patients’ medication literacy. The project will provide community prevention and education programs to increase knowledge about the risks associated with medications, herbs and Mexican drugs. – Laura Cruz – Chad Puerling (file photo)

Jan. 16, 2007 UTEP education professor Bill Robertson (left center) worked with professors from Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación in Chile and science teachers from Ciudad Juárez on a physics activity using a motion and design kit. Science teachers from Ciudad Juárez are collaborating with professors from UTEP and the Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación in Chile to learn how to engage students in science and math through creative hands-on experiments. Chilean professor Claudio Peréz worked on building a car that will be used to help students understand friction and kinetic energy. “Much like here in El Paso, students in Juárez struggle to make everyday connections with science and math,” said Dr. Bill Robertson, UTEP Education professor. “But if we can help young people understand concepts in science at an early age, then as they progress they can deepen and broaden that knowledge.” Dr. Elaine Hampton, UTEP Teacher Education department chair, said the collaboration will help the Juárez teachers prepare for the creation of a science-education center in Juárez. The center will be supported by Innovación en la Enseñanza de la Ciencia (INNOVEC), an initiative created by various Mexican academic, scientific and political leaders. “UTEP is also learning from the Juárez teachers,” said Hampton. “The university draws students from Juárez, so the more we learn about their educational system, the more it will benefit us. And we also want to pair our bilingual students with the teachers from Juárez so they can gain more experience.” – Laura Cruz – photos by J.R. Hernandez

Jan. 16, 2007 Musician Doug Adamz is marking the release of his latest CD, “Guitar Solos,” with a special homecoming performance at UTEP. Adamz will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan 20 at the UTEP Dinner Theatre. The native El Pasoan and UTEP graduate has been living in California for over 30 years, working as a musician and composer. He has released several albums with his band, Light Rain. The group incorporates New Age sounds with World Beat rhythms, such as Arabic percussion. He has composed music for The Joffrey Ballet and others. Thee San Francisco Ballet and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet have danced to the music of Light Rain. Adamz will perform songs from his new album, which is a collection of original works. He will be joined on stage by local friends and musicians Mónica Gómez, Gene Keller, Mario Otero and Hal Marcus. His brother, Darrell Adams, will play the bass. Tickets are $8, plus tax, and are on sale at the UTEP Ticket Center. For more information, call 915/747-5234. -Laura S. Ruelas -Photo courtesy of www.dougadamz.com

Jan. 8, 2007 UTEP Provost Richard Jarvis, far right, and three Parkland High School students helped unveil a new banner honoring the high school and university's new partnership. More than 100 Parkland High School teachers and UTEP professors celebrated a new collaboration designed to increase the number of minority students entering the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. UTEP and Parkland High School’s new Engineering, Math and Science Magnet School began their partnership on Thursday, Jan. 4, with the unveiling of a new banner featuring the high school and university. UTEP professor Elaine Hampton, left in blue, watched as Parkland teachers Danny Lopez, far left, Katherine Meraz, center, and Martha Arana participated in an experiment testing the physics of motion. “Today is the first of many steps in this wonderful partnership,” UTEP Provost Richard Jarvis told the teachers. “You and your students represent the future for our university and our community.” Following the presentation, professors from UTEP’s College of Engineering led workshops to help Parkland’s teachers improve their classroom skills and curriculum to emphasize proficiency in math and science. Teachers participated in workshops that focused on hands-on learning activities, such as the “Motion and Design Kit,” where teachers explored the physics of motion and learned to apply the concepts to technological design from a student’s perspective. For more information about the partnership, call 915/747-5460. — Laura Cruz — photos by J.R. Hernandez