SNRAS plays key role in STEM conference

The Alaska Math and Science Conference will be held in Fairbanks Sept. 24-26 with a focus on STEM Education: Foundation for Alaska’s Future.

Teachers from around the state will learn innovative educational approaches that will help emphasize science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in their districts, schools and classrooms. Workshops and sessions will be held at Lathrop High School and Ryan Middle School.

STEM education is important because there will be eight million jobs available in STEM-related fields by 2018. One of the objectives of the Alaska Math and Science Conference is to assure that attendees have a clear picture of the importance of STEM education.

SNRAS faculty and staff are integral to the STEM conference, with programs represented including OneTree, MapTEACH, UA Geography Program and GLOBE.

Adjunct Professor Janice Dawe of OneTree is leading field trips to the OneTree plots in the T-field and will have an exhibit at the Sunday evening celebration where teachers will get to make knitting needles out of birch. Dawe will give two presentations on Monday during the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District in-service training. An artist volunteer with OneTree, John Smelter, will lead a teacher workshop also.

Assistant Professor Patricia Heiser and Instructor Sidney Stephens will introduce the MapTEACH program to 40 teachers from around the state at the conference. In collaboration with the Yukon Koyukuk School District and funding from the Alaska State Department of Education, the workshop includes classroom and outdoor activities on Friday.

Teachers will be attending from Allakaket, Anchorage, Arctic Village, Atqaksuk, Barrow, Bethel, Chevak, Chuathbaluk, Chugiak, Cordova, Fairbanks, Hoonah, Huslia, Kaktovik, Kaltag, Ketchikan, Koyukuk, Manley, Minto, Point Hope, Point Lay, Sitka, Sleetmute, St. Mary's and Wrangell.

On Saturday morning there is a MapTEACH half-day "interpreting the landscape" field trip around the Goldstream Valley using maps, air photos and satellite images, with the teachers collecting GPS data. On Monday, there will be a MapTEACH session to introduce participants to GIS.

UA Geography Program Education and Outreach Coordinator Katie Kennedy is leading several sessions on online GIS and Google Earth.

On Sunday evening, Sept. 25 UAF will host a celebration in the Great Hall and Davis Concert Hall. From 6 to 7 p.m. there is a student showcase and at 7 p.m. Vi Hart will present Mathemusician's Musings, which integrates math, technology, music and art.