ORONO – Maine Education Commissioner Susan A. Gendron will be the keynote speaker at the fifth annual Math and Science Future Teachers Conference on Saturday, March 26, at the University of Maine.

Designed for aspiring math and science teachers, the conference will feature the opportunity to work with exemplary educators who will present workshops on innovative instructional strategies, classroom management and finding the right job.

The conference is sponsored by the UMaine Mathematics and Science Future Teachers Club, a group of math, science, engineering, technology and education majors working to build a strong community of students and educators.

Gendron’s 9 a.m. address, “Preparing to Teach in the 21st Century,” is free and open to the public. The pre-registration fee for the daylong conference, with workshops after the keynote speech, is $10. The registration deadline is March 21.

A former teacher and principal, Gendron was superintendent of the Windham School Department before becoming education commissioner in 2003. Originally from Massachusetts, she majored in elementary and secondary education at the University of Southern Maine, where she also earned a master’s degree in educational administration.

During her 30 years as an educator, she has received many honors, including the Maine School Superintendents’ Distinguished Educator Award in 2001 and the Superintendent of the Year Award in 2002.

All conference events take place in the Donald P. Corbett Business Building, beginning at 8:30 a.m. with check-in and a continental breakfast. Lunch also is provided.

The conference is open to anyone interested in becoming a math or science teacher, including current students at any college or university, high school and middle school students who are strong in math and science and thinking about teaching as a profession, and individuals considering a career change.

Topics and speakers include:

. “Card and Number Magic Tricks for the Math Classroom,” by Jon Matte, chairman of the mathematics and computer science department, Greens Farms Academy, Westport, Conn.

. “Effective Classroom Management Practices,” Lisa Damian-Marvin, educational consultant, American Geological Institute.

. “What Do Students Know?” Mary Whitten, science department chairwoman, Gardiner Area High School.

. “What’s in Space? How Do We Get There?” using children’s questions to design an integrated curriculum, Joanne Defilipp, educational director, Stillwater Montessori School, Old Town.

. “Technology Revisited: How can we really use this stuff to improve learning?” Matthew Cyr, technology integration specialist, Leonard Middle School, Old Town.

. “Teaching Order of Operations and Basic Number Properties by Playing Krypto,” Shawn Towle, math teacher, Falmouth Middle School.

. “Bringing Cyberchase to the Classroom,” Jim Cook, K-6 math specialist, SAD 54, Skowhegan.

. “Rocket to Newton’s Laws,” Robin Kennedy, lead flight director, Challenger Learning Center of Maine, Bangor.

. “Getting the Teaching Job of Your Dreams,” John Keene, principal, Leonard Middle School, Old Town.

More information and registration for off-campus participants are available at 581-3905, Amie.gellen@umit.maine.edu.