CMST: Frequently Asked Questions

What is CMST, and who is eligible?

CMST is a community service project funded by the University of California Office of the President. Its goals are to provide help to local secondary schools and to attract math and science majors to the field of teaching.

Junior and Senior Mathematics or Science Majors are eligible. At UCSC, Physics, Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Environmental Studies Majors constitute our eligible pool of CMST Science applicants.

What could this mean for me?

If you are selected as a CMST Member, you will get the chance to observe and to assist teachers in a secondary school for eight hours a week. You will be paid a stipend each quarter for this fieldwork. You also will take nine units of education courses related to your work in the schools.

What are the course requirements?

Science students take Education 185C (5 units) during fall quarter, and 119F (2 units) for both winter and spring quarters.

Math students take Education 185B (5 units) during winter quarter, and 119F (2 units) for both winter and spring quarters.

What is the schedule like?

The Membership takes place only in winter and spring quarters. You apply in the fall to begin in winter quarter. We work around your class schedule when placing you at the schools. If you can leave an entire day free of classes, you can go to the school where you are placed only one day per week.

Which secondary schools are involved?

We try to place students in Partnership Schools, meaning schools which have high need for our help.

How do I apply?

You can sign up to show your intent to apply at an Informational Meeting. The dates and times of these meetings will be in the "news" section of this web site.

Applications will be available during fall quarter, with the deadline for submission in November.

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