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n Ecological Perspective on STEM Education Research: Challenges and Opportunities

posted Oct 16, 2014, 7:44 PM by Kathy Dehshiri   [ updated Oct 16, 2014, 7:45 PM ]
                     William Sea - AACR Postdoctoral Research Associate Candidate

Center for Engineering Education Research Seminar.

An Ecological Perspective on STEM Education Research: Challenges and Opportunities .

When:Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 12:30pm to 1:30pm.

Where:1420 Engineering Building.

Abstract:
Using several key concepts from ecology and conservation science, I draw on
my research and teaching experience to explore the challenges and
opportunities for teaching large introductory science courses and conducting
STEM education research.  Specifically, I give examples from my use of
active learning approaches including feedback through open-ended constructed
response questions and informal student-focused research.  I also discuss
key findings from recent literature and preliminary results from the
analysis of a large national survey of Chemistry, Biology, and Physics
university instructors.

Bio:
Dr. William Sea earned a PhD in Ecology in 2008 from Colorado State
University. His PhD research focused on modeling climate and fire effects on
tree-grass dynamics of savannas in southern Africa.  After his PhD, he
worked as a postdoctoral research associate at CSIRO in Canberra, Australia
investigating the use of remote sensing to study fire-savanna dynamics and
carbon balance in northern Australia and the ecohydrology of tropical
grasslands.  He subsequently worked as a research fellow and is currently an
adjunct fellow at the University of Canberra investigating restoration of
grasslands invaded by Chilean needle grass and the conservation of the
critically endangered golden sun moth.  He has a long interest in improving
STEM education at all levels.