Conference Archives
Spotlight for 2024 Conference
The Inaugural Multi-site & Multilingual Synchronous conference (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Cinvestav Unidad Monterrey, Universidad de Guadalajara) brought together educators to discuss STEM education research and how they were applied in P-20 learning environments. Presenters shared current research within disciplinary and interdisciplinary STEM contexts and promoted collaborations and partnerships from local to international. The first-ever multi-site, multilingual conference was held in-person at the Mission Events Center, 200 N. Shary Road, Mission TX 78572.
Toward Transformative Practices: Uprooting Foundations of
STEM and Planting Rhizomes of Equity and Justice
Opening Speaker
Dr. James L. Moore III, Assistant Director for the Directorate for STEM Education at the National Science Foundation, was the opening speaker at the conference.
- Prior to his NSF appointment, Dr. Moore served as the vice provost for diversity and inclusion, chief diversity officer at The Ohio State University. He is nationally recognized for his work on African American males and STEM education. Since 2018, he has been cited annually by Education Week as one of the 200 most influential scholars and researchers in the United States.
Program and Proceedings
Full Conference Program
View the 7th Annual RGV STEM Education Conference full program.
Agenda at a Glance
Conference Day 1
-
Monday, February 26, 2024
Conference Day 1 Agenda at a Glance Start Time End Time Session 7:30 AM 6:00 PM On-site registration and check-in 9:00 AM 10:15 AM Opening Session 10:15 AM 11:15 AM Concurrent Sessions 11:15 AM 12:15 PM Concurrent Sessions 1:30 PM 2:30 PM Lunch (on your own) 3:00 PM 4:30 PM Concurrent Sessions 2:45 PM 3:45 PM Concurrent Sessions 4:00 PM 5:00 PM Concurrent Sessions 5:30 PM 8:00 PM Conference Social Hour
Conference Day 2
-
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Conference Day 2 Agenda at a Glance Start Time End Time Session 7:30 AM 3:00 PM On-site registration and Check-in 9:30 AM 10:30 AM Concurrent Sessions 10:30 AM 10:45 PM Break 10:45 AM 11:45 AM Concurrent Sessions 11:45 AM 1:15 PM Lunch (on your own) 1:15 PM 2:15 PM Concurrent Sessions 2:15 PM 3:15 PM Concurrent Sessions 3:15 PM 3:30 PM Break 3:30 PM 4:30 PM Closing Plenary Session 4:30 PM 5:30 PM Closing Remarks
About Conference
The Office of Engaged Scholarship & Learning and the College of Education and P-16 Integration at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley welcome you to the 2024 International STEM Education Conference, Toward Transformative Practices: Uprooting Foundations of STEM and Planting Rhizomes of Equity and Justice. We are thrilled to have you join us for this exceptional event, which promises to be a thought-provoking and inspiring experience.
Over the years, our conference has served as a platform for educators, researchers, and students from various STEM disciplines to come together and exchange groundbreaking ideas. This year, we are focusing on the critical theme of equity and justice in STEM education. In our pursuit of educational progress, we focus on uprooting the existing foundations of STEM and foster a transformative environment that embraces diversity, inclusivity, and fairness.
Throughout this conference, you can expect a diverse range of speakers, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions led by esteemed colleagues, and students in the field. Our goal is to provide you with valuable insights, innovative and practical strategies, and tried and proven approaches that will serve as an inspiration to you to create transformative practices in your education setting.
Toward Transformative Practices: Uprooting Foundations of STEM and Planting Rhizomes of Equity and Justice
With an overarching focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, this conference brings together educators to discuss STEM education research and how they are applied in P-20 learning environments. This hybrid conference will:
- Share current research within disciplinary and interdisciplinary STEM contexts!
- Promote collaborations and partnerships from local to international
- View the conference flyer English | Spanish.
Request Information: For more information, send an email to rgvstemed@utrgv.edu.
Conference Location
Mission Events Center at Mission, TX
200 N. Shary Road, Mission TX 78572 USA
Photo Gallery
Visit our 7th Annual STEM Education Conference photo album.
Spotlight for 2023 Conference
The 2023 conference was held at the Courtyard by Marriott at South Padre Island from Feb 15-17, 2023. Seven concurrent sessions scheduled between the two day conference.
Program and Proceedings
Full Conference Program
View the 6th Annual RGV STEM Education Conference full program.
Agenda at a Glance
Preconference
-
Thursday, February 15, 2023
Preconference Agenda at a Glance Start Time End Time Session 6:00 PM 9:00 PM Preconference social
Live music by Vanguard Academy Students
Miguel Hernandez, Vanesa Calvillo, Viviana Calvillo,
Carlos Mena, Ricky Hernandez
Conference Day 1
-
Friday, February 16, 2023
Conference Day 1 Agenda at a Glance Start Time End Time Session 7:30 AM 6:00 PM On-site registration and check-in 9:00 AM 10:30 AM Concurrent Session A 10:45 AM 11:45 AM Concurrent Session B 11:45 AM 1:15 PM Luncheon (provided) 1:15 PM 2:45 PM Concurrent Session C 3:00 PM 4:30 PM Concurrent Session D
Conference Day 2
-
Saturday, February 17, 2023
Conference Day 2 Agenda at a Glance Start Time End Time Session 7:30 AM 3:00 PM On-site registration and Check-in 9:00 AM 10:30 AM Concurrent Session E 10:45 AM 12:15 PM Concurrent Session F 12:15 PM 1:30 PM Luncheon (on your own) 1:30 PM 3:00 PM Concurrent Session G
About Conference
Welcome to the 6th Annual RGV STEM Education Conference. February 15 - 17, 2023.
The College of Education and P-16 Integration and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley welcome you to the 2023 STEM Education Conference, Building Interdisciplinary Collaborations in STEM Education: Toward Transformative Practices. We will continue to provide an intentional space that brings everyone involved in P-20 STEM education together. This includes higher education faculty, P-12 educators and administrators, informal educators, and P-12 students. We will continue transforming STEM education through critical dialogue, dissemination, and implementation of best practices, research, and policy.
A fundamental goal of this conference is to ensure that all STEM educators are prepared to successfully implement best practices in STEM education, from preschool to college. This conference is for those who have a willingness to have discussions around difficult conversations about what is transpiring in STEM classrooms and how to unpack how our presence, actions, and inactions contribute to the sociocultural landscape and influence those around us.
Through this conference experience, you will join a growing movement of local, national, and international group of STEM education scholars, innovators, and challengers that are committed and ready to enact equitable practices. You will leave this conference inspired and armed with the latest research, knowledge, and best practices to transform STEM education.
Building Interdisciplinary Collaborations in STEM Education: Toward Transformative Practices
With an overarching focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, this conference brings together educators to discuss STEM education research and how they are applied in P-20 learning environments. This hybrid conference will:
- Share current research within disciplinary and interdisciplinary STEM contexts!
- Facilitate discussions between researchers, educators, and students
- Promote collaborations and partnerships from local to international
- View the conference flyer.
Request Information: For more information, send an email to rgvstemed@utrgv.edu.
Conference Location
Courtyard by Marriott at South Padre Island, TX
6700 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597 USA
Photo Gallery
Visit our 6th Annual STEM Education Conference photo album.
Spotlight for 2022 Conference
The 2022 conference was held at the Isla Grand Beach Resort at South Padre Island, Texas on Thursday, February 10th through the 12th with keynote speakers Dr. Christopher Wright and Dr. Joseph Whittaker. Six concurrent sessions schedule between the two day conference.
Program and Proceedings
Full Conference Program
View the 5th Annual RGV STEM Education Conference full program.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Christopher Wright, Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning, & Curriculum in Drexel University’s School of Education
Dr. Christopher Wright is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning, & Curriculum in Drexel University’s School of Education and co-Director of the In/Formal Learning Linking Engineering, Science, & Technology (ILLEST) Lab at the ExCITe Center. His research deploys critical perspectives while engaging in design-based research that seeks to support opportunities for learning and positive identity development in k-12 engineering and science learning environments. This work investigates cultural and political elements within informal and formal learning spaces that could potentially impact the experiences of and learning opportunities afforded to those from historically excluded communities in STEM. By highlighting several engineering projects within the ILLEST Lab, Dr. Wright will discuss how this notion of dream spaces and dream chasing is conceived of in order to reimagine engineering and science learning environments as opportunities for affirming, cultivating, and building upon the intellectual and linguistic resources that young people possess.
Dr. Joseph A. Whittaker, Vice President for Research & Economic Development and Associate Provost at Jackson State University
Dr. Joseph A. Whittaker is currently the Vice President for Research & Economic Development and Associate Provost at Jackson State University (JSU). In these capacities, he provides support to the provost in academic affairs, and has responsibility for research, sponsored programs, regulatory compliance, technology transfer and commercialization, grants & contracts, and federal relations. Prior to joining JSU, Dr. Whittaker served as Dean and Professor of the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences at Morgan State University (MSU), and simultaneously as Associate Director of the NASA GESTAR Program at the Goddard Space Flight Center. At MSU, Dr. Whittaker led the development and implementation of several research and academic initiatives. He has served on several review panels for National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other federal agencies. Early in his academic career, he led efforts in the design and construction of the Neuroscience Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, which became the prototype for 12 additional NIH-supported Specialized Neuroscience Programs. He holds several board and committee memberships and was elected the 73rd President of Sigma Xi Scientific Research and Honor Society. Dr. Whittaker received his Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics from Howard University and was a Neurobiology Postdoctoral Fellow at the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center.
Agenda at a Glance
Preconference
-
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Preconference Agenda at a Glance Start Time End Time Session 10:00 AM 2:00 PM Advisory Board Meeting (Closed Meeting) 5:00 PM 8:00 PM Preconference social on the Hammerhead Deck
Live music by Vanguard Academy High School students
Ricky Hernandez, Carlos Hernandez, Antonio Hernandez,
Miguel Hernandez, Vanesa Calvillo, Viviana Calvillo,
Nikssa Cuellar
Conference Day 1
-
Friday, February 11, 2022
Conference Day 1 Agenda at a Glance Start Time End Time Session 8:00 AM 4:00 PM Check-in and onsite registration 9:00 AM 10:30 AM Concurrent Session A 10:45 AM 11:15 AM Concurrent Session B 12:15 PM 1:45 PM Luncheon featuring Keynote Speaker, Dr. Christopher Wright 2:00 PM 3:00 PM Concurrent Session C 3:15 PM 4:15 PM Concurrent Session D 3:45 PM 4:45 PM Poster Session
Conference Day 2
-
Saturday, February 12, 2022
Conference Day 2 Agenda at a Glance Start Time End Time Session 8:30 AM 12:00 PM Check-in and onsite registration 9:00 AM 10:30 AM Concurrent Session E 10:45 AM 11:45 AM Concurrent Session F 12:15 PM 2:00 PM Luncheon featuring Keynote Speaker, Dr. Joseph Whittaker
Recognitions & Closing Business
About Conference
Welcome to the 5th Annual RGV STEM Education Conference. February 10 - 12, 2022.
The conference started as an idea from Dr. Chapman, a UTRGV Assistant Professor, to help STEM students from the Rio Grande Valley prepare academically, socially, and psychologically for their postsecondary education. One challenge, as Dr. Chapman states, is developing a way to leverage students’ cultural and linguistic capital to help learn math and science. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Hispanics are underrepresented in undergraduate and graduate STEM programs and are not sufficiently exposed to STEM subjects at the K-12 Level. The long-term goal of this consortium is to ensure that high quality science experiences are accessible for all students. One of Dr. Chapman's research projects will include a developing and testing science curriculum that helps students develop a deeper understanding of academic vocabulary, as well as examining the social, psychological and cultural factors that influence student participation and learning in science.
The Inaugural RGV STEM Education Conference (November 2017) hosted more than 150 educators, students, and other stakeholders. Participants addressed the challenges faced in their classrooms according to their respective STEM subject. Educators also had the chance to view posters from the UTeach Undergraduate Research projects. These students discussed topics regarding what they learned during their early field experience in Edinburg CISD High Schools; topics included teacher certification versus alternative certification, technology impact in the classrooms, collaborative learning, and other differing areas of STEM.
In order to fulfill the long-term goal, we have started collaborating with high school teachers from the McAllen District, Vanguard Academy, and La Joya ISD to develop curriculum to help students master academic vocabulary. The objective is to work collaboratively to develop asset-based science curricula that help students develop understanding of the high level, discipline specific vocabulary. The ‘multiple vocabulary strategies model’ has transformative potential to help both science teachers and students in their classroom. Dr. Chapman hopes to improve the learning of science and math, and to aid bilingual and ELL student’s recognize and utilize their knowledge of Spanish as a form of linguistic capital. This objective is targeted to influence and prepare Hispanic students to pursue careers in the STEM field.
Challenging Our Assumptions: Towards Transformative Practices in STEM Education
- Initiative Funded by The Greater Texas Foundation is funding this initiative.
- Break Out Sessions
- Free inquiry-based, hands-on STEM Teacher Workshops - chemistry, physics, math, biology, engineering, computer science! Teachers will earn CPEs!
- From preschool to college: critical discussions across the STEM disciplines
- Project based learning workshop for K-12 STEM educators
- Panel Discussion by La Joya ISD High School Student Ambassadors
- Much more!
- Conference flyer: Print the conference flyer to post or inform an educator about this event.
- Request Information: For more information, send an email to rgvstemed@utrgv.edu.
Conference Location
Isla Grand Beach Resort at South Padre Island, TX
500 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597 USA
Photo Gallery
Visit our 5th Annual STEM Education Conference photo album.
Spotlight for 2021 Conference
The 2021 conference was held at virtually on Thursday, February 25th through the 27th with keynote speakers Dr. Melody Russell, Dr. Wesley Pitts, and Dr. Ellen Carpenter. Six concurrent sessions schedule between the two day conference.
Program and Proceedings
Full Conference Program
View the 4th Annual RGV STEM Education Conference full program.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Melody Russell, Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, Auburn University
Dr. Melody L. Russell is a Professor of Science Education in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching in the College of Education at Auburn University. She received her doctorate from the University of Georgia, a M.S. degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the Biological Sciences, and a B.S. degree in Laboratory Animal Science from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Her research focuses on strategies for promoting persistence and resilience in STEM for students traditionally underrepresented students. Her scholarly work is published in peer-refereed journals, presented at regional, national and international conferences and she has been a recipient of multiple National Science Foundation awards focused on broadening participation in STEM. She has also co-edited a book entitled Multicultural Science Education: Preparing Teachers for Equity and Social Justice with Dr. Mary Atwater and Dr. Malcolm Butler for Springer Publishing.
Dr. Wesley Pitts, Professor of Science Education, Lehman College
With inspiration from the late Rep. John Lewis and other trailblazers such as the current National Youth Poet Laureate Ms. Amanda Gorman, Dr. Pitts will lead a discussion framed by the following central question: How can we help support and move the agency and practices of good disruptors in STEM education into central positions so that they can be afforded opportunities to build and share their practices? Being and becoming a good disruptor is always associated with opportunities and uncertainties in that every sociocultural action can potentially help to transform systems and can also help to reinforce systems and their boundaries. Accordingly, the constructive practices of disruptors help to challenge the contexts of deep-rooted ideologies and practices that help to perpetuate institutional inequalities. For example, transformative practices that challenge systems of political ideologies, such as national and state level covenants, can change the power structures and boundaries that exist to maintain systems of education that continually stratify opportunities for students and educators in STEM.
Dr. Ellen Carpenter, Program Director, National Science Foundation
Programmatic support for undergraduate STEM education from the National Science Foundation
Agenda at a Glance
View the Sched 4th Annual STEM Education Conference Agenda at a Glance.
About Conference
Welcome to the 4th Annual RGV STEM Education Conference. February 25 - 27, 2021.
The conference started as an idea from Dr. Chapman, a UTRGV Assistant Professor, to help STEM students from the Rio Grande Valley prepare academically, socially, and psychologically for their postsecondary education. One challenge, as Dr. Chapman states, is developing a way to leverage students’ cultural and linguistic capital to help learn math and science. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Hispanics are underrepresented in undergraduate and graduate STEM programs and are not sufficiently exposed to STEM subjects at the K-12 Level. The long-term goal of this consortium is to ensure that high quality science experiences are accessible for all students. One of Dr. Chapman's research projects will include a developing and testing science curriculum that helps students develop a deeper understanding of academic vocabulary, as well as examining the social, psychological and cultural factors that influence student participation and learning in science.
The Inaugural RGV STEM Education Conference (November 2017) hosted more than 150 educators, students, and other stakeholders. Participants addressed the challenges faced in their classrooms according to their respective STEM subject. Educators also had the chance to view posters from the UTeach Undergraduate Research projects. These students discussed topics regarding what they learned during their early field experience in Edinburg CISD High Schools; topics included teacher certification versus alternative certification, technology impact in the classrooms, collaborative learning, and other differing areas of STEM.
In order to fulfill the long-term goal, we have started collaborating with high school teachers from the McAllen District, Vanguard Academy, and La Joya ISD to develop curriculum to help students master academic vocabulary. The objective is to work collaboratively to develop asset-based science curricula that help students develop understanding of the high level, discipline specific vocabulary. The ‘multiple vocabulary strategies model’ has transformative potential to help both science teachers and students in their classroom. Dr. Chapman hopes to improve the learning of science and math, and to aid bilingual and ELL student’s recognize and utilize their knowledge of Spanish as a form of linguistic capital. This objective is targeted to influence and prepare Hispanic students to pursue careers in the STEM field.
Challenging Our Assumptions: Towards Transformative Practices in STEM Education
- Initiative Funded by The Greater Texas Foundation is funding this initiative.
- Sponsored by the National Science Foundation and Hand2Mind Inc.
- Break Out Sessions
- Conference flyer: Print the conference flyer to post or inform an educator about this event.
- Request Information: For more information, send an email to rgvstemed@utrgv.edu.
Virtual Map
The 4th Annual STEM Education Conference was held virtually.
Photo Gallery
Visit our 4th Annual STEM Education Conference photo album.
Spotlight for 2020 Conference
The 2020 conference was held at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel McAllen, Texas on Thursday, February 13th through the 15th with four distinguished keynote speakers and six concurrent sessions.
Program and Proceedings
Full Conference Program
View the 3rd Annual RGV STEM Education Conference full program.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Jennifer Adams, Associate Professor, University of Calgary Creativity in STEM
Dr. Jennifer D. Adams was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. After college she worked in physical therapy for two years before entering the field of education. Dr. Adams taught high school Biology in the New York City Public Schools and concurrently worked as a field instructor for New York City Outward Bound. Dr. Adams then moved on to the American Museum of Natural History where she worked as a manager of teacher education. Dr. Adams completed a MS in nutrition at Brooklyn College, CUNY and an MA in education at New York University followed by a PhD in urban education with a Science, Math and Technology specialization at The Graduate Center, CUNY. Prior to joining the University of Calgary in 2017, Dr. Adams was an associate professor of science education at Brooklyn College, CUNY. Dr. Adams enjoys running and dance.
Dr. Adams’ research has focused on two areas: 1) urban place-based and environmental education and 2) informal science learning a) teacher learning, identity and agency and b) youth agency and identity. Underlying her work are critical and decolonizing stances towards science and science teaching and learning. Her research will now extend into examining the intersection of creativity and STEM in postsecondary science teaching and learning contexts. Dr. Adams will emphasize design towards increasing the creative capacities of STEM learners and theorizing a critical stance towards creativity and STEM.
Dr. Xicoténcatl Martínez Ruiz, Insituto Nacional De Ciencias Penales Youth, Peace, and STEM+A(rts)
Dr. Xicoténcatl Martínez Ruiz is the Coordinator of Academic Systems and Editorial Coordinator in the Office of Academic Affairs at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional, IPN, (National Polytechnic Institute, México), and Editor in Chief of the Journal Innovación Educativa, an Indexed, peer review Journal. He is an invited professor of ancient cultures of Asia in the Instituto de Investigaciones Mora, México. He has initiated and directed the editorial collection “Paideia Siglo XXI” at IPN, and was the director of the project Cultural House of India in México, founded by Octavio Paz. He was a visiting researcher in the University of Madras in the Radhakrishnan Institute for Advanced Studies in Philosophy, India; in Bazzano, Italy; Maharashtra, India and Sèvres, France; over these years has been lecturing in the three continents. Advisor for the National System of Education in Mexico (SEP-Educación Media Superior), and for the development of policies focused on humanistic culture for engineers and scientist at the IPN 2013-2015. He has published several journal articles, book chapters, books and translations from Sanskrit into Spanish and English. His projects underway are narrowed down to Philosophy of Education, Non-violence and mindfulness in contemporary education, Eastern and Western approaches in education, ethics and humanistic prospective.
Dr. Bhaskar Upadhyay, an associate professor of science education at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, is a Fulbright Scholar and a recipient of the Matthew Stark Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Award for his research and community engagement work in urban schools and indigenous communities in the US and Nepal. His work in STEM education explores issues of social justice, equity, racism, indigeneity, citizen science, and sociopolitical change. He is currently serving a three years term as an Executive Board member of the National Association of Research in Science Teaching (NARST). He has published peer reviewed research papers and book chapters in science/STEM education. He is coediting a book titled “Stories for sustainable and resilient communities: STEM education from Indigenous perspectives”. Currently, he is working on three projects funded by NSF and the Spencer Foundation. Each of the projects is exploring how students and teachers from marginalized or underrepresented groups engage in culturally and racially inclusive STEM learning environments. Furthermore, in these projects he is also investigating how teachers' pedagogical decisions support STEM learning for social change and sociopolitical consciousness and how students utilize STEM knowledge and skills for local sociopolitical activism. In one of the NSF projects he is partnering with an indigenous tribe, Bell Museum, and middle school indigenous students to create a planetarium show on indigenous water stories that blends indigenous sociocultural and STEM knowledge, Western STEM knowledge, and activism.
Agenda at a Glance
Preconference
-
Thursday, February 13, 2020
A preconference meetings and social, before day 1 of the 3rd Annual RGV STEM Education Conference at 5:00 PM CST.
Conference Day 1
-
Friday, February 14, 2020
Conference Day 1 Agenda at a Glance Start Time End Time Session 7:30 AM 4:00 PM Check-in and onsite registration 8:00 AM 8:10 AM Introductions and welcome remarks, Dr. Alejandro Gallard 8:15 AM 9:15 AM Opening Keynote Address, Dr. Bhaskar Upadyhay 9:30 AM 11:00 AM Concurrent Session 1 11:10 AM 12:40 PM Concurrent Session 2 12:55 PM 2:25 PM Lunch Plenary Session, Dr. Jennifer Adams 2:40 PM 4:10 PM Concurrent Session 3 4:15 PM 5:45 PM Concurrent Session 4
Conference Day 2
-
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Conference Day 2 Agenda at a Glance Start Time End Time Session 8:00 AM 12:00 PM Check-in and onsite registration 9:00 AM 10:30 AM Concurrent Session 5 10:45 AM 11:45 AM Concurrent Session 6 12:00 PM 1:30 PM Lunch Plenary Session, Dr. Xicoténcatl Martínez Ruiz,
introduced by Dr. Patricia Alvarez McHatton1:30 PM 2:00 PM Closing Remarks and Recognitions
About Conference
Welcome to the 3rd Annual RGV STEM Education Conference. February 13 - 15, 2020.
The conference started as an idea from Dr. Chapman, a UTRGV Assistant Professor, to help STEM students from the Rio Grande Valley prepare academically, socially, and psychologically for their postsecondary education. One challenge, as Dr. Chapman states, is developing a way to leverage students’ cultural and linguistic capital to help learn math and science. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Hispanics are underrepresented in undergraduate and graduate STEM programs and are not sufficiently exposed to STEM subjects at the K-12 Level. The long term goal of this consortium is to ensure that high quality science experiences are accessible for all students. One of Dr. Chapman's research projects will include a developing and testing science curriculum that helps students develop a deeper understanding of academic vocabulary, as well as examining the social, psychological and cultural factors that influence student participation and learning in science.
The Inaugural RGV STEM Education Conference (November 2017) hosted more than 150 educators, students, and other stakeholders. Participants addressed the challenges faced in their classrooms according to their respective STEM subject. Educators also had the chance to view posters from the UTeach Undergraduate Research projects. These students discussed topics regarding what they learned during their early field experience in Edinburg CISD High Schools; topics included teacher certification versus alternative certification, technology impact in the classrooms, collaborative learning, and other differing areas of STEM.
In order to fulfill the long-term goal we have started collaborating with high school teachers from the McAllen District and La Joya ISD to develop curriculum to help students master academic vocabulary. The objective is to work collaboratively to develop asset-based science curricula that help students develop understanding of the high level, discipline specific vocabulary. The ‘multiple vocabulary strategies model’ has transformative potential to help both science teachers and students in their classroom. Dr. Chapman hopes to improve the learning of science and math, and to aid bilingual and ELL student’s recognize and utilize their knowledge of Spanish as a form of linguistic capital. This objective is targeted to influence and prepare Hispanic students to pursue careers in the STEM field.
Challenging Our Assumptions: Towards Transformative Practices in STEM Education
-
Initiative Funded by The Greater Texas Foundation is funding this initiative.
-
Break Out Sessions
- Free inquiry-based, hands-on STEM Teacher Workshops - chemistry, physics, math, biology, engineering, computer science! Teachers will earn CPEs!
- From preschool to college: critical discussions across the STEM disciplines
- Project based learning workshop for K-12 STEM educators
- Panel Discussion by La Joya ISD High School Student Ambassadors
- Much more!
-
Conference flyer: Print the conference flyer to post or inform an educator about this event.
-
Request Information: For more information, send an email to rgvstemed@utrgv.edu.
Conference Location
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel
1800 S. 2nd St, McAllen, TX 78503 USA
Photo Gallery
Visit our 3rd Annual STEM Education Conference photo album.
Spotlight for 2019 Conference
The 2019 conference was held at the Casa de Palmas Renaissance Hotel on Thursday, February 7th through the 9th with four distinguished keynote speakers and three concurrent sessions.
Program and Proceedings
Full Conference Program
View the 2nd Annual RGV STEM Education Conference full program.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Kenneth Tobin, Presidential Professor, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York
In 1964, Kenneth Tobin began teaching high school science and mathematics in rural Western Australia. He continued as a teacher and curriculum developer for a decade, after which he became a teacher educator at Graylands Teachers College, later to become part of Edith Cowan University. In Australia, Tobin has had faculty appointments at the Western Australian Institute of Technology (now Curtin University) and has been an adjunct professor at Queensland University of Technology, and Murdoch University. Tobin came to the United States in 1987 and was a tenured professor at Florida State University (10 years), University of Pennsylvania (6 years), and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (15 years), where he is presently Presidential Professor of Urban Education. Since 1973, Tobin has been involved in research on teaching, learning, and learning to teach science. His present research focus is on mindfulness, emotion, wellness, and sustainability. His emphasis is on educating the public, birth through death, emphasizing literacy for sustainable and happy/healthy lifestyles. Specifically, his ongoing research focuses on breathing while talking.
Since 1973, when Tobin published his first journal article, he has published 210 refereed journal articles, 29 books, and 140 book chapters. Tobin’s Google Scholar Citations lists 16,634 citations and an h-index of 67. Tobin’s 2017/18 publications include five co-edited books, one with Stephen Ritchie (Eventful learning: Learning emotions); two with Lynn Bryan on critical issues for science education and reframing research in science education; and two with Malgorzata Powietrzynska, both concerning mindfulness and wellness. In similar vein, Tobin was guest editor of a special issue of Learning: Research and Practice on Mindfulness in education. He has also published 3 journal articles and 6 book chapters in 2017/18.
Dr. Konstantinos Alexakos, Professor and program coordinator for Adolescence Science Education at the School of Education, Brooklyn College, CUNY. His research focuses on teacher research, emotions, mindfulness, and critical social issues such as race, gender, and sexuality with the goals of improving learning, teaching and personal wellness, as well 7 as creating spaces for discussing challenging topics, valuing difference, and learning from each other.
Dr. S. Lizette Ramos de Robles, Professor of Biology and Environmental Health Sciences at the Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico. Her research focuses on sociological and cultural aspects of discourse in the teaching and learning of science, especially in multilingual contexts. To understand scientific literacy more deeply, she uses sociocultural and sociolinguistic perspectives. In addition, her research also focuses on socio-environmental aspects related to Environmental Health, specifically climate change literacy.
Dr. Alejandro J. Gallard Martinez, Professor and Goizueta distinguished Chair in the Middle and Secondary Department and the Director of the Georgia Center for Educational Renewal at Georgia Southern University. Alejandro’s interests include researching societal complexities promulgated by contextual mitigating factors (CMFs) that contribute to students’ lack of success (or success) in general and in the STEM fields. His frameworks include global perspectives on differences, otherness, polyphony of voices and meaning making that reflects categories used to situate people in social life. His current research efforts include working with an international team to understand the characteristics of Latinas who are successful in STEM fields.
Agenda at a Glance
What will happen?
A full day of discussions, workshops, and activities designed to address how to address STEM learning for P-16 students in the Rio Grande Valley, including:
- STEM Teacher workshops with activities and curricula that can be implemented in your classroom.
- Roundtable discussions: What we do in preschool matters in college: P-20 vertical alignment across the disciplines. What are we doing as a Hispanic Serving Institution to broaden participation in STEM?
- Research in STEM Education: posters and concurrent sessions
- Implicit Bias in the STEM Classroom workshop
- Panel Discussion by La Joya ISD High School Student Ambassadors
Preconference
-
Thursday, February 7, 2019
A small group meeting discussion, before day 1 of the 2nd Annual RGV STEM Education Conference.
Conference Day 1
-
Friday, February 8, 2019
Conference Day 1 Agenda at a Glance Start Time End Time Session 7:30 AM 4:00 PM Check-in and onsite registration 8:00 AM 8:30 AM Introductions and welcome remarks,
Dr. Parwinder Grewal, Executive Vice President
for Research8:30 AM 9:30 AM Opening Keynote Address, Dr. Kenneth Tobin,
Introduced by Dr. Alma Rodriguez, Dean for the
College of Education and P-16 Integration9:45 AM 11:15 AM Concurrent Session 1 11:15 AM 12:45 PM Lunch Plenary Session, Dr. Konstantinos Alexakos 1:00 PM 2:30 PM Concurrent Session 2 2:30 PM 3:30 PM Short Session 3:30 PM 3:45 PM Break 3:45 PM 5:15 PM Concurrent Session 3 5:30 PM 9:00 PM Social events, meet in lobby or on your own
Conference Day 2
-
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Conference Day 2 Agenda at a Glance Start Time End Time Session 7:30 AM 12:00 PM Check-in and onsite registration 8:00 AM 9:30 AM Concurrent Session 4 9:30 AM 11:00 AM Concurrent Session 5 11:00 AM 12:30 PM Lunch Plenary Session, Dr. Ramos de Robles 12:30 PM 2:00 PM Concurrent Session 6 2:00 PM 3:15 PM Closing Keynote Address, Dr. Alejandro Gallard 3:00 PM 3:15 PM Closing remarks, recognitions, Dr. Patricia Alvarez McHatton
About Conference
Welcome to the 2nd Annual RGV STEM Education Conference. February 8 - 9, 2019.
The conference started as an idea from Dr. Chapman, a UTRGV Assistant Professor, to help STEM students from the Rio Grande Valley prepare academically, socially, and psychologically for their postsecondary education. One challenge, as Dr. Chapman states, is developing a way to leverage students’ cultural and linguistic capital to help learn math and science. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Hispanics are underrepresented in undergraduate and graduate STEM programs and are not sufficiently exposed to STEM subjects at the K-12 Level. The long term goal of this consortium is to ensure that high quality science experiences are accessible for all students. One of Dr. Chapman's research projects will include a developing and testing science curriculum that helps students develop a deeper understanding of academic vocabulary, as well as examining the social, psychological and cultural factors that influence student participation and learning in science.
The Inaugural RGV STEM Education Conference (November 2017) hosted more than 150 educators, students, and other stakeholders. Participants addressed the challenges faced in their classrooms according to their respective STEM subject. Educators also had the chance to view posters from the UTeach Undergraduate Research projects. These students discussed topics regarding what they learned during their early field experience in Edinburg CISD High Schools; topics included teacher certification versus alternative certification, technology impact in the classrooms, collaborative learning, and other differing areas of STEM.
In order to fulfill the long-term goal we have started collaborating with high school teachers from the McAllen District and La Joya ISD to develop curriculum to help students master academic vocabulary. The objective is to work collaboratively to develop asset-based science curricula that help students develop understanding of the high level, discipline specific vocabulary. The ‘multiple vocabulary strategies model’ has transformative potential to help both science teachers and students in their classroom. Dr. Chapman hopes to improve the learning of science and math, and to aid bilingual and ELL student’s recognize and utilize their knowledge of Spanish as a form of linguistic capital. This objective is targeted to influence and prepare Hispanic students to pursue careers in the STEM field.
Challenging Our Assumptions: Towards Transformative Practices in STEM Education
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Initiative Funded by The Greater Texas Foundation is funding this initiative.
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Break Out Sessions
- Free inquiry-based, hands-on STEM Teacher Workshops - chemistry, physics, math, biology, engineering, computer science! Teachers will earn CPEs!
- From preschool to college: critical discussions across the STEM disciplines
- Project based learning workshop for K-12 STEM educators
- Panel Discussion by La Joya ISD High School Student Ambassadors
- Much more!
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Conference flyer: Print the conference flyer to post or inform an educator about this event.
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Request Information: For more information, send an email to rgvstemed@utrgv.edu.
Conference Location
Casa de Palmas Renaissance Hotel
101 N. Main Street, McAllen, Texas 78501 USA
Resources
+Nerdvana
Nerdvana channels the newest and most exciting emerging technologies – Drones, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Robotics, Programming, and more- into innovative learning experiences for students all across South Texas. Our mission is to leverage these technologies to challenge students to use the tech to expand their worlds and ignite the lost curiosity in our children. >> Visit Nerdvana for more resources.
+E3 Alliance
E3 Alliance is a regional, data-driven education collaborative based in Austin, Texas. We are helping to build the strongest educational pipeline in the country to drive regional economic prosperity.
E3 Alliance was the pioneer in work called collective impact, which requires a broad range of community representatives to work together to achieve lasting systemic change. Eleven years later, through this process, E3 engages businesses and nonprofits, 15 school districts, eight institutions of higher education and policy leaders across Central Texas to address complex community issues in education. Our collective efforts seek to improve student outcomes across every demographic of our 600,000 children and students throughout the region – from cradle to career! >> Visit E3 Alliance for more resources.
+RGV Focus
RGV FOCUS is a collective impact initiative in collaboration with Educate Texas and Communities Foundation of Texas, was launched in 2012 to transform college readiness, access and success across the Rio Grande Valley’s four-county region. RGV FOCUS brings together a group called the Leadership Team consisting of school district superintendents, higher education presidents, philanthropic partners, and business and community leaders. The Leadership Team is supported by action networks and advisory bodies, such as the Data Support Council, which lead the implementation of the vision and strategy. >> Visit RGV Focus for more resources.
The goal of convening the group is to transform the lives of the region’s more than 415,000 students by aligning systems across the cradle-to-career pipeline to make sure each student is college ready, has access to and achieves postsecondary success, and pursues a meaningful career in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Furthermore, RGV FOCUS’s work positions the Rio Grande Valley to support the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (THECB) goal to have 60 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds in the state earn a certificate or degree by 2030, a plan known widely as the THECB 60x30 Strategic Plan.
+Leap for STEM
LEAP For STEM® is a subsidiary of FIRST RGV, INC. and is a non-profit group of professionals, mentors and various volunteers from science, technology and engineering careers. Our goal is to help students to enjoy the reward of a STEM career and have some of the hardest fun they will ever have in learning. We offer programs in FIRST robotics, drones, programming / coding, cybersecurity, forensic sciences (CSI) camps and much more.. >> Visit Leap for STEM for more resources.
Photo Gallery
Visit our 2nd Annual STEM Education Conference photo album.
Spotlight for 2017 Conference
La Joya ISD students conducted research, during a summer program and shared their results and perspective on learning in their STEM classes at the 2017 Conference.
Program and Proceedings
Announcement
Agenda
Print the RGV STEM Education Symposium Agenda.
Session | Location |
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8:00 – 8:30 AMRegistration/Sign-In |
EEDUC 1.102 |
8:30 – 8:45 AMWelcome RemarksDr. Patricia Alvarez McHatton, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean of the College of Education and P-16 Integration |
EEDUC 1.102 |
8:45 – 9:30 AMKeynote Address: Math Matters, Statewide and RGVMathematics Analysis Christine Bailie, Deputy Director, P-16 Strategic Initiatives, E3 Alliance |
EEDUC 1.102 |
9:35 – 10:35 AMSTEM Education Research ShowcasePoster presentations that will highlight innovative research projects students are doing as part of their undergraduate coursework in UTeach courses. |
EEDUC 2.102/2.102C |
10:40 – 11:55 AMConcurrent Session #1How Science Works: Nature of Science Activities for the K-12 Classroom. The purpose of this workshop is for participants to engage in hands-on activities and discussions about how P-16 students learn and understand the nature of science. One session 10:40 – 11:55, EEDUC 1.404Authentic STEM – La Joya ISD students will share the research they have been doing and their perspective on learning in their STEM classes. Two mini sessions 10:40 – 11:15 and 11:20 – 11:55, EEDUC 2.240 Innovative Tech in the Classroom: Nerdvana is an RGV tech start-up bringing the newest in tech to the classroom. Come learn about our high-energy, challenging programs, and how we can help your school leverage cutting edge technology like drones, VR, and more! Two mini sessions 10:40 – 11:15 and 11:20 – 11:55, EEDUC 2.534 Project ACCESS working group – invited participants will work collaboratively to begin development of high school math and science curricula that includes best practices for students who are bilingual and/or whose first language is not English. One session 10:40 – 11:55, EEDUC 1.502 |
Refer to description. |
12:00 – 12:45 PMLunch (provided) |
EEDUC 1.102, courtyard |
12:45 – 2:00 PMConcurrent Session #2How Science Works: Nature of Science Activities for the K-12 Classroom. The purpose of this workshop is for participants to engage in hands-on activities and discussions about how P-16 students learn and understand the nature of science. One session from 12:45 – 1:00, EEDUC 2.102STEM in the Classroom – explore railway transportation designs through MagLev trains and LEGO® MINDSTORMS® robots. Participants will learn about engineering and technology design, explore mathematics and physics concepts as well as how to implement these STEM lessons in their K-12 classroom. Two mini sessions 12:45 – 1:20 and 1:25 – 2:00, EEDUC 2.240 Innovative Tech in the Classroom: Nerdvana is an RGV tech start-up bringing the newest in tech to the classroom. Come learn about our high-energy, challenging programs, and how we can help your school leverage cutting edge technology like drones, VR, and more! Two mini sessions 12:45 – 1:20 and 1:25 – 2:00, EEDUC 2.534 Project ACCESS working group – invited participants will work collaboratively to begin development of high school math and science curricula that includes best practices for students who are bilingual and/or whose first language is not English. One session from EEDUC 2.102C |
Refer to description. |
2:00 – 2:15 PMBreak |
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2:15 – 3:45 PMConcurrent Working Session Part 1: P-16 STEM Education Roundtable DiscussionHow are we preparing all RGV students to be successful in STEM? This is the overarching question that will guide specific discussions with respect to STEM education. There will be four multidisciplinary (STEM faculty, STEM education faculty, early child, elementary, middle school, high school, special education, and bilingual education) working groups that will discuss successes and challenges faced in the classroom from preschool through college. The objective is to explore the standards, assessments, curricula, and research-driven best practices that prepare students for success in the next grade level.Group A: Life Sciences, EEDUC 3.202 (Borderlands) Moderator: Eugenio Saenz Group B: Physics, EEDUC 2.102/C, Moderator: Shirley Mills Group C: Mathematics, EEDUC 2.102/C, Moderator: Shirley Mills Group D: Engineering, EEDUC 2.102/C, Moderator: Jair Aguilar Group E: Chemistry, EEDUC 2.534, Moderator: Luzelma Canales Group F: Technology, EEDUC 2.240 Moderator: Janine Schall Group G: Nature of Science, EEDUC 3.202 (Borderlands), Moderator: Noushin Nouri |
Refer to description. |
3:45 – 4:45 PMConcurrent Working Session Part 2: Roundtable Report OutThe working groups will reconvene to share findings, including successes, challenges, and proposed solutions for P-16 STEM Education. |
EEDUC 1.102 |
4:45 – 5:00 PMDr. Angela ChapmanClosing Remarks: Highlights of the day and next steps toward building an RGV STEM Education Consortium whose mission is to enhance STEM education for all individuals in the Rio Grande Valley through multidisciplinary collaboration, professional development, and teacher preparation. |
EEDUC 1.102 |
Christine Bailie, Deputy Director, P-16 Strategic Initiatives
Keynote Address: Math Matters, Statewide and RGV
Mathematics Analysis
Christine Bailie, Deputy Director, P-16 Strategic Initiatives, E3 Alliance
Resources
+Nerdvana
Nerdvana channels the newest and most exciting emerging technologies – Drones, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Robotics, Programming, and more- into innovative learning experiences for students all across South Texas. Our mission is to leverage these technologies to challenge students to use the tech to expand their worlds and ignite the lost curiosity in our children. >> Visit Nerdvana for more resources.
+E3 Alliance
E3 Alliance is a regional, data-driven education collaborative based in Austin, Texas. We are helping to build the strongest educational pipeline in the country to drive regional economic prosperity.
E3 Alliance was the pioneer in work called collective impact, which requires a broad range of community representatives to work together to achieve lasting systemic change. Eleven years later, through this process, E3 engages businesses and nonprofits, 15 school districts, eight institutions of higher education and policy leaders across Central Texas to address complex community issues in education. Our collective efforts seek to improve student outcomes across every demographic of our 600,000 children and students throughout the region – from cradle to career! >> Visit E3 Alliance for more resources.
+RGV Focus
RGV FOCUS is a collective impact initiative in collaboration with Educate Texas and Communities Foundation of Texas, was launched in 2012 to transform college readiness, access and success across the Rio Grande Valley’s four-county region. RGV FOCUS brings together a group called the Leadership Team consisting of school district superintendents, higher education presidents, philanthropic partners, and business and community leaders. The Leadership Team is supported by action networks and advisory bodies, such as the Data Support Council, which lead the implementation of the vision and strategy. >> Visit RGV Focus for more resources.
The goal of convening the group is to transform the lives of the region’s more than 415,000 students by aligning systems across the cradle-to-career pipeline to make sure each student is college ready, has access to and achieves postsecondary success, and pursues a meaningful career in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Furthermore, RGV FOCUS’s work positions the Rio Grande Valley to support the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (THECB) goal to have 60 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds in the state earn a certificate or degree by 2030, a plan known widely as the THECB 60x30 Strategic Plan.
+Leap for STEM
LEAP For STEM® is a subsidiary of FIRST RGV, INC. and is a non-profit group of professionals, mentors and various volunteers from science, technology and engineering careers. Our goal is to help students to enjoy the reward of a STEM career and have some of the hardest fun they will ever have in learning. We offer programs in FIRST robotics, drones, programming / coding, cybersecurity, forensic sciences (CSI) camps and much more..