UGA will host its fifth annual one-day STEM Institute on Teaching and Learning Feb. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Open to K-12 teachers, UGA faculty and STEM educators and researchers in Georgia, the conference is being presented by UGA’s Office of STEM Education. This year’s theme focuses on “Increasing the Pool of STEM Talent” with presentations on integrating research, teaching and learning in the STEM disciplines as well as topics on experiential learning, instruction through gaming and learning communities.
“This event traditionally promotes stimulating conversations, interesting presentations and networking opportunities in addition to providing invaluable resources for STEM educators,” said Timothy Burg, director of the Office of STEM Education. “This year we are adding graduate student poster sessions that will provide an opportunity for dialogue with conference participants around research involving teaching and learning in STEM fields.
“The conference will feature two nationally recognized leaders in STEM education. Robert Mathieu, the Vilas Distinguished Professor of Astronomy at the University of Wisconsin and a member of the leadership team of the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning, will open the conference by sharing the impact of CIRTL in preparing future STEM faculty, emerging trends in undergraduate and graduate STEM education and other insights about the current higher education landscape.
Susan Singer, director of the National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education and the Laurence McKinley Gould Professor in biology and cognitive science at Carleton College, will conclude the day by sharing information about NSF funding opportunities and areas of focus related to STEM.
A continental breakfast will be provided from 8-9 a.m. in addition to lunch at noon. Attendance is free, and registration is open until Feb. 17.