Nsec 2017 National Conference

NSEC 2017 National Conference 

 

Roundtable Abstracts 

 

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Patience, Persistence, and Perseverance: Creating Lasting and Meaningful Internal and External 

Partnerships in K-12 STEM Education 

First Round: Friday, June 23, 2017 at 10:50 AM  

Second Round: Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 10:55 AM 

 

 

Speakers: Allison Grabert, University of Southern Indiana 

Additional Authors: Tina Closser, Naval Surface Warfare Center/Crane 

Abstract: The Southwest Indiana STEM (SwISTEM) Resource Center was launched in 2007 from funding 

secured by the University of Southern Indiana from a regional workforce grant coupled with statewide 

STEM initiative funding. During this session, lessons learned and strategies will be shared in developing 

and prioritizing internal and external partnerships as it pertains to the impact, sustainability, and 

scalability of a university-based, K-12 STEM outreach initiative. With ten years of exercise in patience, 

persistence, and perseverance, the director the SwISTEM Resource Center is excited to share this 

journey of establishing a meaningful and unlikely relationship between the third largest naval base in 

the world and a fledgling STEM outreach program at a four-year, comprehensive, state-supported 

university. 

 

Fostering diversity, equity and inclusion through teaching orientations for all new engineering 

instructors

 

First Round: Friday, June 23, 2017 at 10:50 AM  

Second Round: Friday, June 23, 2017 at 3:50 PM 

 

 

Speakers: Tershia Ann Pinder-Grover, University of Michigan 

Additional Authors:  

Abstract: As a part of a university-wide diversity strategic plan, the Center for Research on Learning and 

Teaching in Engineering at the University of Michigan revamped all of the engineering teaching 

orientations for new faculty, graduate student instructors, and undergraduate instructional aides. The 

goal was to create dedicated sessions at the start of each orientation that would focus on inclusive 

teaching practices. In particular, new instructors engaged in discussions around social identities, 

discovered how classroom climate impacts teaching and learning, and identified classroom strategies 

they might employ to teach inclusively. The evaluations of the interactive workshops and/or theater 

performances revealed mostly positive ratings; however, there were several lessons learned that will be 

shared as a part of this interactive roundtable discussion. 

 

 

 

 

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NSEC 2017 National Conference 

 

Roundtable Abstracts 

 

25 | 

P a g e

 

 

Re-engaging Teachers in their Craft through Action Research

 

First Round: Friday, June 23, 2017 at 10:50 AM  

Second Round: Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 10:55 AM 

 

 

Speakers: Michele Guannel and Nastassia Jones, University of the Virgin Islands 

Additional Authors:  

Abstract: One critical component of student success is teacher engagement in the profession: through 

intellectual, emotional, and social connections. In the US Virgin Islands, many local students arrive to 

college with low STEM skills and interest. To help bridge this gap, the Virgin Islands Institute for STEM 

Education Research and Practice is working to increase secondary STEM teacher engagement (and 

therefore, student success). We incorporate project-based learning, interactions with STEM researchers, 

and the development of professional learning communities. These elements are pursued in different 

formats: (1) an intensive two-week summer institute, (2) Master’s level Action Research courses, (3) in-

school support by science education researchers, and (4) academic-year professional development. To 

date, 40 teachers and administrators on St. Thomas have participated, representing six schools and the 

disciplines of math, science, and art. Here we discuss evidence of teacher engagement, such as 

enhanced creativity and connections among K-12 schools, university, and community partners. 

 

The Nebraska Collaborative for Food, Energy, & Water Education: Opportunities and Strategic 

Visioning 

First Round: Friday, June 23, 2017 at 10:50 AM  

Second Round: Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 10:55 AM 

 

 

Speakers: Cory Forbes, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 

Additional Authors:  

Abstract: The Nebraska Collaborative for Food, Energy, and Water Education (NC-FEW) is a systemic, 

statewide, partnership-driven effort to foster science literacy about food, energy, and water systems in 

youth and adults. The Food-Energy-Water (FEW) Nexus, which emphasizes the interconnections 

between these systems and their human dimensions, serves as crucial framework through which to both 

a) cultivate systems thinking through education and outreach programming and b) study cognitive and 

socio-cultural elements of teaching and learning about FEW systems through discipline-based education 

research. NC-FEW will serve as a nucleus for transdisciplinary efforts to 1) advance FEW education 

efforts; 2) foster FEW education research; and 3) enhance collaboration around FEW education and 

education research. In this roundtable session, we anticipate productive discussion around a) the FEW-

Nexus as a conceptual and analytical frame for education programming and research a b) strategies for 

growing and sustaining NC-FEW over the short- and long-term. 

 

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