Ameren Corporation Grant Helps IMSA Expand Teacher Training in Central and Southern Illinois

For Immediate Release, February 2004
For comment, contact Brenda Buschbacher at (630) 907-5033

AURORA -- The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) is increasing professional development opportunities for teachers in central and southern Illinois thanks to a $25,000 grant from St.Louis-based energy services company Ameren Corporation.

Most of the Ameren grant will be used to conduct a five day Problem-Based Learning design workshop in Effingham, Illinois. K-12 teachers throughout central and southern Illinois will learn to design and implement PBL curriculum for their classes.

"Teachers in central and southern Illinois are hungry for good workshops that usually aren't available," says IMSA's Professional Development Leader for PBL Debra Gerdes. "It wouldn't be possible to stage this important design workshop without this generous support from Ameren."

The Ameren grant funds will also be used to support IMSA's Excellence 2000+ program, a mathematics and science enrichment program for Illinois middle schools, and the 21st Century Information Fluency Project, an Internet skills program for Illinois teachers.

"Ameren is awarding this $25,000 teacher training grant to enhance the professional development opportunities for teachers throughout central and southern Illinois. Supporting our teachers is an investment in the future of our state," says Richard J. Mark, Ameren vice president of Governmental Policy and Consumer Affairs.

Each year, the Ameren Corporation Charitable Trust donates millions of dollars to programs in education, services for the youth and elderly, and the environment in the company's Illinois and Missouri service areas. Corporate contributions come entirely from corporate earnings and are not charged to customers as a business expense. Ameren companies serve 1.7 million electric customers and 500,000 natural gas customers in a 49,000-square-mile area of Missouri and Illinois. Visit the Ameren Web site for more information about Ameren and its subsidiaries.

Located in Aurora, Illinois, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) is an internationally- recognized pioneering educational institution created by the State to develop talent and stimulate excellence in teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology. IMSA's advanced residential college preparatory program enrolls 650 academically talented Illinois students in grades 10-12. More than 17,000 teachers and 26,000 students in Illinois and beyond have benefited from services of The Center@IMSA, the Academy unit that provides statewide professional development and enrichment programs. IMSA serves the people of Illinois through innovative instructional programs, public and private partnerships, policy leadership and action research.