This week is the 2012 AP Annual Conference, the country’s largest gathering of AP and Pre-AP communities. During the four days of workshops, panel discussions, presentations, and exhibits, educators will sharpen their skills and develop innovative strategies to use in their classrooms.

One of the major organizations involved with this year’s Orlando-area conference is the National Math and Science Initiative. Several NMSI representatives will be leading sessions on critical topics such as closing the achievement gap and bridging the gap between Pre-AP and AP courses. NMSI will also have a booth at the conference – Booth 305 – and representatives at the booth will be giving away free lessons.

Here are the sessions in which NMSI members are participating or directing:

Thursday, July 19: 1:15pm – 2:30pm

Equity & Access Colloquium: Underrepresented Students and Closing the Achievement Gap

Southern Hemisphere, Dolphin

Dale Fleury, National Math and Science Initiative

Mary Bohem, A+ College Ready, Alabama

Tommie Sue Anthony, Arkansas Advanced Initiative for Math and Science 

Mort Orlov, Massachusetts Mass and Science Initiative 

Persistent gaps in student achievement and participation in rigorous college readiness courses suggest that we are not preparing all of our students to be able to participate in the 21st century global economy. This session will discuss the "Elements Of Success" utilized by the six "pioneer states" of the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) over the past three years to dramatically increase participation and success of traditionally underrepresented students in AP math, science, and English courses.

Friday, July 20: 10:45am - Noon

Using Social Media to Improve AP Writing

Dolphin-Ballroom Level-Northern Hemisphere-A2

Aubrey Ludwig, Fairfax County Public Schools, McLean, Virginia
Emily Richardson, Naperville North High School, Chicago, Illinois

Educating digital natives in the AP classroom requires that technology not be a novelty but be used to create meaningful writing, critical thinkers and global citizens. Learning multiple applications and technologies for classroom use can be harrowing for both teacher and student. In this session, participants examine Schoology, the social networking and learning management application, as well as the microblogging platform Tumblr. They explore model posts and pages that synthesize student writing and create classroom collaboration. By the session’s end, participants gain a working knowledge of both programs and develop a series of practices to improve student writing.

Saturday, July 21: 10:45am - Noon

Bridging the Gap Between Pre-AP and AP Courses

Dolphin-Lobby Level-Asia 2

Paulette Granger, NASA, Houston, Texas
Curtis Brown, Laying The Foundation, Dallas, Texas

Participants examine strategies for the Pre-AP Algebra I class that help to bridge the gap between Algebra I and AP Statistics. Participants review an Algebra I lesson developed by NASA and other educational specialists to show how AP concepts can be introduced in a Pre-AP class. The lesson uses real NASA data, which students can apply to high school math content that aligns to both National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and Common Core State Standards requirements. Participants are directed to numerous classroom-ready lessons.

Saturday, July 21: 2:45pm – 4:00pm

Underrepresented Students and Closing the Achievement Gap

Swan-Lobby Level-Swan 9-10

Dale Fleury, National Math and Science Initiative, Dallas, Texas
Joanne Lang, Advance Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
Mary Boehm, A+ College Ready, Birmingham, Alabama
Cam Vautour, Project Opening Doors, Hampton, Connecticut
Paul Nichols, Virginia Advanced Study Strategies, Williamsburg, Virginia
Mort Orlov, Massachusetts Math and Science Initiative, Boston, Massachusetts
Tommie Sue Anthony, Arkansas Advanced Initiative for Math and Science, Little Rock, Arkansas

Persistent gaps in student achievement and participation in rigorous college readiness courses suggest that we are not preparing all of our students to be able to participate in the 21st-century global economy. This session discusses the Elements of Success utilized by the six pioneer states of the National Math and Science Initiative over the past three years to dramatically increase the participation and success of traditionally underrepresented students in AP math, science and English courses.