Childhood Education Students Present at International STEM Conference

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University of Arkansas students and faculty attending the International STEM Education Association annual conference were, from left, front row, Kelly McCracken, Rachel Whitmer, Austin Hosey and Bayleigh Jones; middle row, Gracie Gandy, Nicole Choate, Tara Hice, Sarah Bart and Melissa Brooks; and back row, Jennifer Paulk, Janis Harju, Mike Daugherty, Lindsey Swagerty and Vinson Carter.

A group of University of Arkansas education students and faculty collaborated on two presentations Oct. 8-9 at the International STEM Education Association annual conference in Branson, Mo.

The 10 childhood education students and one doctoral student worked with Jennifer Paulk, assistant professor of mathematics education; Vinson Carter, clinical instructor of technology and engineering education; and Michael Daugherty, professor of technology and engineering education. They presented “Delivering Hands-on Integrative STEM Education in the Elementary Classroom” and “Preparing Teachers to Teach Integrated STEM Education” to large audiences of practicing teachers.

Teachers participated in activities that required them to attempt to build a tornado-proof scale model structure and a catapult using concepts from science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Participants in the workshops represented seven states and three nations.

All of the University of Arkansas students participating in the presentations are enrolled in the new STEM graduate certificate program in the department of curriculum and instruction. They are Sarah Bart of Plano, Texas; Melissa Brooks of Lincoln; Nicole Choate of Jasper; Gracie Gandy of Highland Park, Texas; Janis Harju of Springdale; Tara Hice of Fayetteville; Austin Hosey of Rogers; Bayleigh Jones of Springdale; Kelly McCracken of Frisco, Texas; and Rachel Whitmer of Fayetteville. Lindsey Swagerty of Bella Vista was the doctoral student who participated.