By Michelle Hines, University Relations
Dr. Sarah Burke Berenson.
(336) 334-5371
Posted 10-12-07
GREENSBORO, NC - To Dr. Sarah Burke Berenson mathematics and science are creative arts.
“Raising a scientist, a mathematician, or an engineer is all about fostering curiosity,” said Berenson, newly appointed Yopp Distinguished Professor of Mathematics Education at UNCG. “Parents as well as teachers have a big role in that. To be a scientist or a mathematician or an engineer you really have to want to know how things work. You can invent in science. In mathematics. In engineering.”
Berenson, who holds a PhD in Mathematics Education and Computer Education from Florida State University, comes to UNCG after 22 years on the faculty at NC State University. Berenson began her career at NC State as director for the university’s Center for Research in Math and Science Education and was appointed full professor of mathematics education in 1997.
In her new role within UNCG’s School of Education, Berenson’s goal is to recruit and train more math and science educators to fill a void felt in classrooms across the state. Higher salaries for science and math teachers is one way to approach the problem as potential teachers find more lucrative work in the private sector, she said. Another solution is recruiting more women and minorities as well as “second career” teachers with math or science backgrounds.
But Berenson, who wants to see more math courses required for aspiring teachers, is adamant that standards for North Carolina’s teachers remain high. “I think there’s a danger of dropping standards,” she said. “And I think that’s very unfortunate. We should maintain the rigorous standards the State of North Carolina and UNCG have set in the past.”
Berenson is especially interested in the factors that attract young women to STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) careers, and has studied the issue for years with National Science Foundation funding. She has found that quality of life issues play a huge role in women’s career decisions.
“They have watched their parents work seven days a week and 15 hours a day, and they don’t want to do that,” she said. “The workplace has to change. Young assistant professors have to work 70 hours a week to get tenure at a number one research university. The next generation of both men and women are not going to be willing to do that.”
And as far as how to raise a scientist, Berenson should know. Her daughter, Dr. Heidi Carlone, is a science researcher and educator in the School of Education. Carlone is currently studying the impact a good science teacher has on students down the road.
The Yopp Distinguished Professorship held by Berenson was established by alumna Johanna F. Yopp and her husband, James D. Yopp, of Winston-Salem. The Yopps’ $350,000 gift was made as part of UNCG’s $100 million Students First Campaign.
