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Events > Seattle, WA

Seattle STEM Smart Conference

A Workshop Hosted by the National Science Foundation (NSF)
at Pacific Science Center
February 28, 2012

The National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored the first of a series of one-day regional workshops to promote dialogue about the 2011 National Resource Council report: Identifying Highly Successful Schools or Programs for K-12 STEM Education. Designed with plenaries, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, this NSF-supported workshop brought together educators from formal and informal education across all grade levels and higher education. Participants included STEM leaders, policy-makers, and representatives from business and funding communities. Attendees learned about the findings, implications, and recommendations of the report, and promising practices and resources relevant to effective STEM schools and programs. Participation by teams was encouraged. This workshop was co-hosted by Pacific Science Center, Washington State LASER and EDC.

Event Contact: successfulstemed@edc.org

Agenda

Updated 02/09/2012 - 5:15pm EST

Start	End
8:00am	8:30am	Registration (Continental breakfast served)
8:30am	9:30am	Welcome and Opening Remarks Janice Earle, Coordinator, Evaluation Activities, Directorate for Education and Human Resources, National Science Foundation R. Bryce Seidl, President & Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Science Center Alan Burke, Deputy Superintendent, Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia Galloway, Member, National Science Board and CEO, Pegasus Global Holdings, Inc. Barbara Olds, Deputy Assistant Director (Acting), National Science Foundation PPT
9:30am	10:00am	What Everyone Should Know About the Successful K-12 STEM Education Report* Barbara Means, Director, Center for Technology in Learning, SRI International PPT
10:00am	10:15am	Break
10:15am	12:15pm	Elements of Successful STEM Education - Breakout Sessions Effective Instruction: The Successful K–12 STEM Education report notes that “effective instruction capitalizes on students' early interest and experiences, identifies and builds on what they know, and provides them with experiences to engage them in the practices of science and sustain their interest.” This session highlighted programs in which teachers use what they know about students’ understanding to actively engage students in science, mathematics, and engineering practices. As stated in the report, "in this way, students successively deepen their understanding both of core ideas in the STEM fields and of concepts that are shared across areas of science, mathematics, and engineering." Erin Fitzgerald, Senior Professional Development/Curriculum Associate, Museum of Science Nicole Schechtman, Senior Researcher, SRI International Andrew Shouse, Associate Director, UW Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Cary Sneider, Associate Research Professor, Portland State University Equal Access to Quality STEM Experiences: The report discusses findings that draw a direct line between a nation's competitiveness and K–12 STEM education to support the next generation of scientists and innovators. Thus, a goal for K–12 STEM education is a focus on the flow of students into STEM courses, majors, and careers. An important dimension of this goal is to increase the participation of groups that are underrepresented while ensuring equal access to quality STEM learning experiences for all students. Therefore, this session highlighted practices that lead to opportunities for all students to become engaged in strong STEM learning. Babette Moeller, Senior Research Scientist, Education Development Center, Inc. Oscar Porter, Executive Director, California's Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program Keisha Varma, Professor, University of Minnesota Supportive Infrastructure for STEM Learning: The Successful K-12 STEM Education report highlights that, “Research suggests that although teacher qualifications matter, the school context matters just as much [including]. . . multiple factors that strengthen and sustain those learning communities (e.g., school and district leaders, parents, and community).” This session highlighted programs that have proven strategies to develop the essential infrastructure required to support teachers and students. Edward (Ted) Britton, Associate Director, STEM Program, WestEd Kara Jackson, Assistant Professor, McGill University John Moore, NREL Director/Research Scientist, Colorado State University Keisha Scarlett, Principal, Seattle Public Schools
12:15pm	1:30pm	Networking (Lunch served)
1:30pm	3:30pm	Repeat of Morning Breakout Sessions Effective Instruction Equal Access to Quality STEM Experiences Supportive Infrastructure from Administrators, Community, and Parents
3:30pm	3:45pm	Break
3:45pm	4:45pm	Synthesis and Concluding Remarks STEM education leaders reflected on the day's presentations and conversations highlighting major issues, concerns, and recommendations of participants. Philip Bell, Associate Professor, University of Washington PPT James Dorsey, Executive Director, Washington State Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Kit Peixotto, Program Director, Education Northwest, Oregon Mike Town, Teacher and former Einstein Fellow

Location

200 Second Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109

NOTE: Clock hours for WA teachers were provided by Washington Science Teachers Association (WSTA). Forms were available at the workshop. Payment must be made by cash or check.
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