Purdue's Discovery Learning Research Center leads conference focused on transforming STEM undergraduate education

October 14, 2014  


Brenda Capobianco

BrendaCapobianco
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INDIANAPOLIS - Efforts to transform learning for college undergraduate students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) will be the focus of a national conference this month led by Purdue University's Discovery Learning Research Center.

The two-day conference, Transforming Institutions: 21st Century Undergraduate STEM Education, will bring together some of the most innovative and creative minds in higher education to explore how research-based transformative practices in STEM can be implemented in the classroom.

The event is Oct. 23-24 at the NCAA Conference Center, 700 W. Washington St., in downtown Indianapolis. A registration of $495 is required to attend the conference. To register, go to https://www.cvent.com/events/transforming-institutions/registration-28b5db5562374448a93dbd1dcc7a4668.aspx.

"This national conference led by Purdue will focus on ways to transform undergraduate STEM education, bringing together academic leaders and education researchers and others to address this important challenge," said Purdue science education professor Brenda Capobianco, interim director of the Discovery Learning Research Center (DLRC).

"Our conversations will center on the major themes of institutional supports and barriers for transformation; understanding transformation through assessment; faculty development for advancing innovation; and learning spaces, technology and infrastructure."

Other conference topics will include the Association of American Universities (AAU) Undergraduate STEM Education Initiative, Case Studies in Institutional Transformations in Engineering and Technology Education, and Opportunities and Challenges for Institutional Transformation in College Mathematics.

Freeman Hrabowski III, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will deliver a keynote talk as part of the conference's opening reception from 5-8 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 23). Hrabowski, who has served as UMBC president since 1992, received the Heinz Award for his contributions to improve the "Human Condition" and was among the inaugural inductees into the U.S. News & World Report STEM Solutions Leadership Hall of Fame.

Adrianna Kezar, a professor of higher education at the University of Southern California, is the featured speaker to kick off day two of the event at 8:15 a.m. Friday (Oct. 24). Kezar, a national expert of change and leadership in higher education, is focusing her research on the change process in higher education institutions and the role of leadership in creating change.

Other conference speakers are Linda Slakey, a consultant for the AAU STEM Initiative, and Howard Gobstein, co-director of the Science and Mathematics Teacher Imperative (SMTI) and executive vice president for research, innovation and STEM education for the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU).

A panel discussion of university leaders and research poster session also are planned. For a complete conference lineup, go to http://www.cvent.com/events/transforming-institutions/agenda-28b5db5562374448a93dbd1dcc7a4668.aspx.

"Through this convergence of innovation and transformation, the conference will lay the groundwork for systematically investing in new approaches for enhanced STEM teaching, learning, assessment, support and research at the undergraduate level that will feed the 21th century economy," said Willie Burgess, managing director of the DLRC.

Joining the DLRC as conference sponsors are the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Discovery Lecture Series at Purdue, Purdue Office of the Provost, Purdue Diversity and Inclusion, Purdue College of Agriculture, Purdue College of Science and office furniture giant Herman Miller.

Purdue already has successfully transformed 120 large-enrollment courses as part of its Instruction Matters: Purdue Academic Course Transformation (IMPACT) program. Through this initiative, more group work and active student-centered learning replace lectures, and about 300 courses are expected to be redesigned using this model by the 2016-17 academic year.

The DLRC is one of the centers comprising Purdue's innovative Discovery Park, an interdisciplinary research enterprise committed to advancing science, engaging industry, enhancing educational and work environments, and improving the quality of life.

The DLRC supports research that enhances understanding of the learning process by designing and assessing innovative educational programs and interactive learning technologies. Discoveries gained from DLRC-supported research are transforming learning at all levels, from preschool to graduate school, and in the workplace and society as a whole. 

Since its inception in 2003, the DLRC has fostered more than $80 million in funded research focused on identifying, developing and nurturing interdisciplinary teams and projects that integrate, synthesize and promote discovery, learning and engagement. 

Writers:   Phillip Fiorini, 765-496-3133, pfiorini@purdue.edu

Emily Sigg, 765-494-4719, esigg@purdue.edu 

Sources:  Brenda Capobianco, 765-494-9635, bcapo@purdue.edu

Willie Burgess, 765-494-0668, wburgess@purdue.edu

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