STEM Summit VI

University of Massachusetts > STEM > STEM Summit VI Afternoon Sessions

STEM Summit VI Afternoon Break-out Sessions

Strand 1: Diversity - Recruitment & Retention of Underrepresented Students in STEM

This session will provide an overview of diversity and access in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) by examining current trends and issues, recent research developments, funding opportunities and best practices. There will be ample time for questions & structured discussion.  Attendees will leave with resources for their own institutions for improving programming activities & leaning more about NSF funding.

Moderator: 

• Larisa K. Schelkin, CEO, Co-Founding Director & President, DOME Foundation, Inc.

Panelists: 

• Susan Bronstein, Ed.D., Director, Learning Resource Center, UMass Amherst - Northeast Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (Northeast LSAMP) Team: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Northeastern University, University of Connecticut, University of Rhode Island, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• Marshall Milner, Program Director, UMass Boston - Urban Massachusetts Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (UMLSAMP) Team: UMass Boston, UMass Dartmouth, UMass Lowell, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Bunker Hill Community College, Roxbury Community College, Bristol Community College, and Middlesex Community College
• Dr. Rachelle Reisberg, Director, Women in STEM, Northeastern University
• James Hicks, NSF Program Director, Alliances for Broadening Participation in STEM (tentative)

Strand 3: Wingspread - Continuing the Conversation

In the afternoon, attendees will have the opportunity to see some of the resources mentioned in the morning session and potential opportunities to use them in their classroom will be discussed.  The attendees will be given an opportunity to continue the conversation and brainstorm with the Wingspread "fishes" and many of their colleagues what next steps they will need to take for implementation of some of the tools explored in both sessions.

Moderators: 

• Annamaria Schrimpf, Director of Educational Technology, Winchester Public Schools
• Lori Weir, Program Coordinator, Information Technology, Middlesex Community College

Panelists: 

• Tom Daccord, Educational Technology Specialist, Center for Teaching History with Technology
• Romeo Marquis, Executive Director, Learning Curve
• Joanne Najarian, Instructional Technology Specialist, Winchester Public Schools

Strand 4: Career Awareness - Middle School Initiatives

During our afternoon session we will explore a number of middle school efforts sponsored by corporations and educational entities. Middle school students know very little about jobs and careers, which is as expected.  But what is less well known is that students, as early as 6th grade, stop "adding" careers in their minds and start "subtracting" possible future careers for themselves. This problem is particularly acute for careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

This panel will present a discussion on work they are doing to expose middle school students to STEM careers.  It will include a discussion of what two technology companies are doing as well as best practices on how to involve parents and "Community Influencers" in shaping student perceptions about STEM subjects. The panel is also ready to take a hypothetical problem from the audience and discuss how to set up a similar effort in other regions of the state.

Moderator: 

• Susan K. Moulton, President, Moulton Consulting

Panelists: 

• Victoria Grisanti, Senior Manager, Community Involvement, EMC Corporation
• Kathy Berube, K-12 Science Curriculum Coordinator, Worcester Public Schools
• Sandra Mayrand, Director, Regional Science Resource Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School; Coordinator, Mathematics Learning Community Curriculum
• Robert Richardson, East Coast Education Manager, Intel
• Carol King, Project Director, Massachusetts Technician Education Collaborative, Quinsigamond Community College

Strand 5: Resources from Informal Education - Thinking Outside the Classroom, Opportunities for Educators and Students:  Classroom Resources for Students and Teachers

Where can you find quality resources for STEM activities that will awaken within your students an enthusiasm to pursue a STEM career?  Hands-on activities and resources from "classrooms without walls" such as museums, aquariums, technology centers, nature centers and research facilities provide an opportunity for students to gain field experience and become inspired by scientists and educators. This session will highlight academic year programs and resources available to student and teachers through these types of institutions.  These programs offer classroom support and/or visit to the museums/aquarium, in-service professional development and support resources. The programs are comprehensive programs that include multiple contact hours between the informal institution and the schools.

Moderator: 

• Sandra Ryack-Bell, Executive Director, Museum Institute for Teaching Science

Panelists: 

• Jayshree Oberoi, Director, Teacher Resources, New England Aquarium
• Maria Mingalone, Director of Interpretation, The Berkshire Museum
• Annette Sawyer, Director of Education, Museum of Science 
• Rachel Stronach, Education Director, Lloyd Center for the Environment

Strand 7: STEM Education and the Future of the Massachusetts Economy - An Open Discussion

This session will report out on the ideas and strategies that emerged from a morning meeting of the STEM Leadership-Employer Alliance.  This meeting focused on identifying gaps, redundancies, challenges and opportunities in STEM education in Massachusetts.  Facilitators will review what was discussed, and where consensus was formed, lead attendees in furthering the conversation, and gather additional recommendations.

Facilitators: 

• Ellen J. Ferraro, PhD, Deputy Director System Validation Test and Analysis Directorate, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems
• Deborah Boisvert, Executive Director, BATEC
• Greg Sheldon, Sheldon Collaborative 

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