Faculty in the College of Education and the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences described current UGA initiatives in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with Ambassador Demetrios Marantis, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, during his Feb. 18 visit to campus.
Marantis was in Athens to speak at “The Future of International Trade: An American Perspective,” a daylong conference sponsored by the School of Law’s Dean Rusk Center and the Terry College of Business. He had requested an opportunity to learn more about STEM education initiatives, specifically how UGA is preparing students in the STEM disciplines as well as future teachers in these areas. Don Johnson, director of the Dean Rusk Center, assisted in setting up this opportunity to hear about UGA’s STEM education efforts.
The ambassador was welcomed by COE Dean Andy Horne, and the following presentations were made: Steve Oliver, professor and associate head of the COE’s department of mathematics and science education, discussed “Learning Biology through Inquiry and Animation;” Roger Hill, professor and head of the COE’s department of workforce education, leadership and social foundations, discussed “Collaborative STEM Initiatives;” and Chuck Kutal, professor and associate dean of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and director of UGA’s Office of STEM Education, discussed “STEM Education at the University of Georgia.”
The meeting concluded with a round table discussion about the impact of the programs in the presentations.
