Educators attend CEHS Summer STEM workshops

Educators attend CEHS Summer STEM workshops

Aug 5, 2024| Education and Human Sciences, General News, Partnerships

Louisiana Tech's College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS) welcomed teachers from across North Louisiana for multiple summer workshops to advance skills in teaching young students about STEM education.

Louisiana's science standards incorporate a three-dimensional approach to address what students should know, how they can apply their knowledge, and the connection between different concepts. OpenSciEd training and Young Engineering Solutions workshops are designed to ensure Louisiana teachers are well-equipped for the upcoming school year.

"Resources for teachers to implement these three-dimensional experiences are limited," Melissa Wooley, STEM outreach coordinator for the Science and Technology Education Center (SciTEC), said. "Through workshops, current and future teachers experienced firsthand what three-dimensional science teaching looks like. They learned in the same manner as their students, enabling them to identify areas where students will excel, where they might struggle, and what scaffolds need to be in place to ensure academic success."

In partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) and SCILS Region 8 LaSTEM Center, the OpenSciEd workshop goes beyond traditional science teaching methods by bringing together leading science researchers and educators to create a curriculum aligned with how students learn best. This collaborative approach helps students learn to work together effectively while also building their understanding of science.

Krista Drummond, a fourth-grade teacher at Union Central Elementary in Caldwell Parish, attended the 2023 OpenSciEd workshop and could see an improvement in her students after implementing the curriculum in her classroom.

"While teaching this curriculum last year, I could definitely see an increase in my students' scores," Drummond said. "This pushes them to the next level of learning that past curriculums have been unable to do."

Youth Engineering Solutions provides teachers with valuable training and materials to enhance STEM instruction, focusing on fundamental engineering concepts, and problem-solving strategies. It also exposes educators to hands-on engineering challenges that are accessible and engaging for all students.

These workshops not only show teachers how to implement these units in the classroom but also pave the way for students to master science content and practices as they learn to communicate effectively, think critically, ask insightful questions, and understand the world around them.

"The broader goal is to assist with learning loss recovery in science for Louisiana students," Tana Luther, LDOE science specialist, said. "We were delighted to partner with our Region 8 colleagues who contribute deep knowledge of both the Louisiana science instructional model as well as the unique needs of the teachers and students in the northern part of our state."

"This curriculum gives a lot of strategies that are engaging and hands-on," Drummond added. "It's very student-based where they create their own learning environment."

CEHS and SciTEC remain committed to teacher education and will continue to offer summer workshops to enhance STEM education throughout the state.