STEM Conference to Bring New Dimension to Washington Week
Today, AACTE’s Washington Week kicks off with a full lineup of interactive sessions, discussions, and advocacy around educator preparation. In addition to our traditional advocacy-focused events, we are hosting a special conference this afternoon on closing the student achievement gap in the critical subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, today’s conference will feature a multidisciplinary group of education researchers, practitioners, and scientists who will share their theoretical approaches and successful models for promoting the STEM achievement. The panelists will also discuss how to build collaborative, interdisciplinary partnerships for addressing the U.S. achievement gap in STEM subjects—drawing on international lessons—as well as ways to improve learning outcomes of underrepresented populations in the STEM fields.
The panel discussions will be moderated by Rodrick Lucero, AACTE’s vice president for member engagement and support, and will include the following participants:
Vasanta Akondy
Co-Manager, Verizon Innovative Learning Program
Topic: Increasing Access to STEM Education Among Girls in India
Hall Davidson
Senior Director, Discovery Education
Topic: Global Learning Initiatives
Douglas Larkin
Assistant Professor, Department of Secondary and Special Education, Montclair State University
Topic: The Recruitment and Preparation of Teachers for High-Quality STEM Teaching
Armando Sanchez-Martinez
Education Consultant in Mexico and Manager, Editorial Santillana
Topic: Progress and Factors That Contribute to Closing the STEM Achievement Gap in Mexico
Linda Rosen
Chief Executive Officer, Change the Equation
Topic: Scaling Up Research-Based Best Practices and Working with States, Localities, and Corporations to Implement These Practices to Ensure Long-Term Sustainability and Success
Along with the STEM conference, AACTE’s Washington Week will feature three key events: Day on the Hill, the State Leaders Institute, and the Holmes Scholars Summer Policy Institute. All four events are connected under the theme "Diverse Perspectives, Deep Partnerships, One Profession." Based at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC, from June 9-11, “this year’s Washington Week will provide a valuable learning experience on a wide range of hot topics in teacher education from state to federal policy issues to preparing a diverse 21st-century workforce in education—all connected to uniting the profession,” said AACTE President/CEO Sharon P. Robinson.
If you have not yet registered and would still like to attend AACTE’s 2015 Washington Week, you are welcome to come and register on site. Learn more at aacte.org.
Tags: advocacy, events, STEM, student achievement
