Dr Elaine Scott - University of Washington Bothell - Promoting STEM education and research at university

Promoting STEM Education and Research

Elaine P. Scott, Fulbright ScholarDean, School of Science, Technology, Engineering and MathUniversity of Washington, Bothell

Introduction • Objectives

STEM Education & Research at UW Bothell

• UW Bothell Overview

• Collaborations

Strategies for Attracting & Retaining Students in STEM

• K-12

• Women in STEM

• 1st Generation Students

Lessons Learned

Overview

Objectives

1. What lessons can be learned from UW

Bothell?

2. What are some successful strategies to

get students involved in STEM?




• Collaborations


• K-12

• Women in STEM


Lessons Learned

Overview

A bit about the University of Washington Bothell

The UW is a multi-campus university in Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell, as well as a world-class academic medical center.

The Bothell and Tacoma campuses were founded 25 years ago.

The UW enrolls nearly 55,000 students with ~5,000 at Bothell, ~45,000 at Seattle, and ~4,500 at Tacoma.

Bothell is about 20 km northeast from Seattle, and Tacoma is just over 60 km southwest from Seattle.

A bit about the University of Washington Bothell –Fast Facts 2014-15

The UW Bothell has undergone rapid growth in the last five years

4,963 4,587 89% Headcount FTE Undergraduate

ENROLLMENT:

University of Washington Bothell –Fast Facts 2014-15, cont’d

DEMOGRAPHICS• 51% of incoming first years are first

generation college students

University of Washington Bothell –Fast Facts 2014-15, cont’d

EXTERNAL RANKINGS

• 1st in the state of Washington for the second year in a row• 2th for colleges that add the most value.• 11th among top public colleges.• 36th best college in the nation.• "dramatically outperforms its peers on graduation rates and alumni

financial success factors."

6th best bang for the buck.Washington MONTHLY "gives high marks to institutions that

contribute to society, enroll low-income students, help them graduate and don't charge a fortune to attend."

Quality, Affordability And Outcomes

Money Magazine

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/toc/junejulyaugust2015/index.php

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/toc/junejulyaugust2015/index.php

University of Washington Bothell – Fast Facts 2014-15, cont’d

• More than 45 degrees in all Schools• 14 degree programs in STEM • 33 New degrees in the past five years• New UG Education degree in 2015-16

FIVE SCHOOLS

The School of STEM was formed in 2013

1990: UWB Founded

1996: Computing & Software Systems program offers CS degrees

2009: Science & Technology Program formed

2010: Biology & Electrical Engineering Degrees offered

2013: School of STEM formed

DEGREE PROGRAMSThe number of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Students has increased over 80% in two years

Biological Sciences• Biology (BS)

Computing & Software Systems• Applied Computing (BA)• Computer Engineering (BS) (Joint with E&M)• Computer Science & Software Engr. (BS, MS)• Cyber Security Engineering (MS)• Interactive Media Design (BA) (Joint with IAS)

Engineering & Mathematics• Electrical Engineering (BS, MS)• Mathematics (BS)• Mechanical Engineering (BS)

Physical Sciences• Chemistry (BA, BS, BS with Biochem option)• Climate Science & Policy (BS)• Physics (BA, BS) (new)

Our vision and mission are based on four core values

Our mission is to support and promote excellence in

STEM research, scholarship, and education through

commitment to our core values

Our Vision is for the School of STEM to be a

leader in providing accessible, innovative,

and effective education and research that

promotes responsible engagement with our

world and society

The School of Educational Studies was formed in 2014

• K-8 Teacher Certification• Secondary and Middle Level Teacher Certification• Educational Studies (BA) (New!)• Master of Education degree• Leadership Development for Educators• Expanding Capacity for Special Education Leadership

The Education and Society MinorThe Education & Society Minor is intended to help students develop broad perspectives on the purposes and forms of education and schooling.

Teaching & Learning MinorThe Teaching and Learning Minor is for students in any major who want to strengthen their knowledge of teaching in schools or other community settings.

Minor in Diversity StudiesMinor in Diversity Studies is an option for students who want to explore key concepts related to power, identity, and difference, and to understand how historical and structural relations of power and difference shape social relations.

CERTIFICATE AND DEGREE PROGRAMS

MINORS

The School’s Vision focuses on the development of educators

THE VISIONAs a collaborative, scholarly and professional community, the University of Washington Bothell School of Educational Studies exists to develop and support educators who have the commitments and capabilities to promote the learning of all students in diverse contexts. We support interdisciplinary scholarship that explores the multifaceted dimensions of learning and schooling.

We give particular focus to • The purposes of education in a social and political

democracy• The responsibility of universities to collaborate with

community partners• The critical role of professional educators in supporting

equity in learning.

A number of collaborations have developed related to STEM Education & Research at UW Bothell

CURRICULUM: Science and mathematics degrees provide a pathway for secondary certification

SCHOOL OF STEM

SCHOOL OF EDUCATIONAL STUDIES

STEM provides various pathways for secondary teacher certification

Chemistry

Math

Physics

School of Educational Studies

Biology

Computer Science

School of STEMTeaching and

Learning MinorSecondary

Certification

In progress

New

New

CONTENT

PEDAGOGY

We are working on new pathways for computer science

CU

RR

ICU

LUM

Pe

dag

ogy

C

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ten

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CR

EDEN

TIA

LR

EQU

IRE-

MEN

TSTA

RG

ET

CS EndorsementSecondary Credential &

CS Endorsement

CTE Credential + Subject area

competency test

Computer Science: 4 Courses

Computer Science Pedagogy:1 Course

Applied Computing Degree BA

Teaching and Learning Minor

Computer Science Competency Test

CTE Credential + 2 CS Pedagogy

courses

Current Math & Physics Teachers

Freshmen & Transfer Students

Working Professionals

We also have collaborations around STEM education research at UW Bothell

RESEARCH: • BADGES: Motivating learning in informal science programs through a digital badge system

• Mathematics Visualization

SCHOOL OF STEM


We have collaborated with regards to faculty hires

FACULTY: • New joint hire in Mathematics Education• STEM Associate Professor - Technology in Mathematics

Education with Adjunct in Educational Studies • Several former high school teachers on STEM faculty

SCHOOL OF STEM





• Collaborations


• K-12

• Women in STEM


Lessons Learned

Overview

Strategies for Attracting Students to STEM: Strengthening K-12

HS Graduation Requirements:

SubjectRequirements

for Class of 2016

Career & College Ready

Grad. Requirements

Math 3 3

Science (w/o lab) 1 1

Science (w/ lab) 1 2

Career Concentration

0 2

In 2013, Washington State adapted the Next Generation Science Standards.It sets expectations each year for:• Physical science• Life science• Earth & space science• Engineering, technology &

science applications

Strategies for Attracting Students to STEM: Public-Private Partnerships

In 2011, Washington STEM was formed to tackle the skills gap in Washington with support from the business, education, and philanthropic communities.

Mission: Washington STEM advances excellence, equity, and innovation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for all Washington students.

Vision: Successful students. Thriving communities. And a vibrant Washington State.

Washington STEMhttp://www.washingtonstem.org/Why-Stem/The-Challenge#.VZ2j2aPn-Hs

Three target areas:

• STEM Innovation – Scaling breakthrough ideas & promising practices

• STEM Networks – Supporting community solutions, statewide

• STEM Policy – Supporting bold state leadership in STEM

Strategies for Attracting Students to STEM: Some sample projects funded by Washington STEM

Washington STEMhttp://www.washingtonstem.org/Our-Impact/Stem-in-

Action#.VagGv6Pn-Hu

NEXT GEN PIONEER: MIKE WIERUSZEngineering is now a part of science standards in Washington. Mike Wierusz, an engineer-turned-teacher, is tackling them head on at Inglemoor High School. He is pushing teams of students with real-world projects that tackle everything from designing a sustainable, epoxy-free snowboard to building water filtration systems for developing nations.

IGNITING A PASSION FOR STEM IN GIRLSWomen hold only 24% of STEM jobs. Reality BOOST! is summer program for middle

school students in Pasco, Washington that aims to spark a lifelong passion for STEM in girls. Girls work with computers to understand the way technology is changing the way

designers and engineers approach fashion, construction, and other careers.

Strategies for Attracting Students to STEM: STEM Schools

A number of STEM Schools have been developed

Tesla STEM High SchoolSciences, Math, Engineering, Technology, Humanities

& Social Sciences required through grade 12

6th -12th grades integrated, project based

curriculum

Technology Access Foundation (TAF)

Academy

Strategies for Attracting Students to STEM: Collaborations with the TAF Academy

WA STEM: ENGAGING STEM PROFESSIONALS TO INSPIRE THE

NEXT GENERATIONSTEM jobs are growing, but many students of color are not excited or prepared to pursue

them. TAF Academy is engaging STEM mentors to turn the tide. On a weekly basis, computer scientists and engineers bring their programming expertise to the classrooms

of TAF Academy, as part of the Teacher-Scientist Partnership (TSP) program.

MARTINEZ FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIPUW Bothell School of Educational Studies partners with the Edgar and Holli Martinez Foundation in the development of diverse and exceptional teachers in Washington schools. Martinez Fellows from UW Bothell are encouraged to complete their main student teaching experience at the TAF Academy.

http://themartinezfoundation.org/

Strategies for Attracting Students to STEM: FIRST Robotics

Goal: Inspire students to pursue careers in science and technologyHow: Create opportunities for students to engage in after school

team based robotics contests

Strategies for Attracting Students to STEM: Encouraging girls in STEM

University of Washington Bothellfor 5th - 8th Grade GirlsSaturday, October 10, 2015 | 11 to 4 p.m.

The Inspire Festival aims to get girls (and boys) excited and interested in careers in science and math

Strategies for Keeping Students in STEM: Recruitment of Faculty

UW Bothell has make an effort to increase faculty diversity

Thelma Madzima, PhDAssistant ProfessorPlant molecular and cellular biology, epigenetics

Hazeline Asuncion, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorComputer Science, software engineering

Tadesse Ghirmai, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorElectrical Engineering

Lori Robbins, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorBiochemistry

40% of our Computer Science Faculty are women

Strategies for Keeping Students in STEM: Living Learning Community at UW Bothell

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY

Residential community for students interested in environmental, biological, and health sciences, as well us electrical engineering, math, physics, computing & software systems, and video game technology.

Strategies for Keeping Students in STEM: STARS – Redshirt Engineering Program

The STARS ProgramThe Washington STate Academic RedShirt - (STARS) program provides highly motivated students who are eligible for financial aid with a specialized first-year curriculum designed to build learning skills and academic preparation.




• Collaborations


• K-12

• Women in STEM


Lessons Learned

Overview

So what are some lessons to be learned from our experiences…

Collaborations between STEM and Educational Studies must be

intentional to be sustainable

It is important to think of STEM education in terms of Pre-K through 16 rather than K-12

Some lessons on collaborations between the Schools of STEM and Educational Studies:

Collaborations between faculty in both schools in developing

curriculum is essential

School of Educational Studies

School of STEM

So what are some lessons to be learned from our experiences…

We need to start early to encourage students into STEM; waiting for college

or even high school is too late

It is important to have a multi-faceted approach including K-12 schools, universities, government,

industry, and non-profits

Some lessons on attracting students into STEM:

Once students pursue STEM in college, universities must provide the support

needed for them to be successful

Thank you!

Elaine P. Scott, Fulbright ScholarDean, School of Science, Technology, Engineering and MathUniversity of Washington, Bothell