Math, Science Coalition director named nation’s 2010 leader in science education
March 31, 2010
CLEMSON, SC – March 31, 2010 – Tom Peters – executive director of South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics and Science – has earned national recognition for outstanding contributions to improvement of science education, teaching and curriculum.He’s the recipient of the 2010 Outstanding Leadership in Science Education Award presented by the National Science Education Leadership
Association in cooperation with Prentice Hall Publishing Co. He’s the first Palmetto State winner since the honor began in 1979.
“This prestigious award is one way of saying thank you for the many efforts Dr. Peters has made in science supervision, and for his efforts to improve science education in South Carolina and throughout the nation,” said awards committee chair Dr. Thomasena Woods. The award includes a Prentice Hall plaque, a $1,000 check and a year’s free membership in the national association.
Peters began his professional career in Illinois as a high school science and math teacher. In his current position he continues a tradition of improving science and mathematics instruction begun in 1994 through the South Carolina Statewide Systemic Initiative funded by the National Science Foundation.
The state’s Coalition for Mathematics and Science is an action and advocacy group that partners with business, government and the Department of Education’s S2MART Centers SC initiative to boost student achievement and literacy in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics.
“The leadership award is really a testimony to the outstanding work of our state’s regional system of support for science education – originally known as the ‘Hubs,’ then the Math and Science Regional Centers – and now the S2MART Centers,” Peters said. “I’ve been privileged to work alongside dozens of talented and passionate folks for the past 16 years who share my commitment to serve the 700,000 school kids in South Carolina.”
Peters has been actively involved in the leadership of the Association of Science Materials Centers for over a dozen years and has helped to establish science materials centers in several states. He also served as a science specialist for the Wichita Falls Independent School District in Texas.
Peters earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. He’s supervised over $6.6 million in grants projects since 1996 and is the author of numerous articles and monographs. He’s been a presenter at state, regional, national and overseas conferences and has been a member and/or board member of a host of professional service organizations.
