Noyce Conference Details

Fostering STEM Futures: Resiliency and Assessment Practices

Date: October 18, 2024 – October 20, 2024
Location: Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, St. Louis, MO
Program Information: Program agenda

Speakers

• Tori Engel, Instructional Technology Coach
  Tori Engel is dedicated to preparing students for success in the digital era. With a 12-year background in education, she teaches middle school computer science and is her school's instructional technology coach and Chromebook coordinator. In addition, she is a Doctoral Student at the University of Illinois. Tori spent four years at Washington University where she served as a Lead Instructional Specialist managing their Code.org Regional Partnership, leading Code.org Computer Science Principles workshops, and developing, refining, and leading PD on science units for the K-8 curriculum, mySci. Her work extended to integrating computer science concepts into the curriculum. Before her time at WashU, Tori was a middle and high school science teacher. In 2024, Tori was nominated as a semifinalist for Magic School's AI Teacher of the Year. Additionally, she was awarded the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics STEM Teacher Scholarship.
• Elisabeth Greenwood, High School Chemistry Teacher
  Elisabeth Greenwood has the joy of teaching high school students about the wonderful world of chemistry! For the past 11 years, she has implemented teaching methods learned from her initial teaching experience interning at the Illinois Math and Science Academy as a Golden Apple Scholar. Her philosophy centers on asking her students more questions than giving answers and providing experiences in the classroom for students to engage and question chemical phenomena. She also enjoys working with pre-service math and science teachers and has served as a mentor for SIUe’s Noyce science and math teacher candidates. Elisabeth is the recipient of several awards, including the NSTA’s Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award for New Science Teachers, the Illinois Chemical Education Foundation and the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois Davidson Award, and the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics STEM Teacher Scholarship.
• Janet Moore, Instructional Coach, Math
  Janet Moore is a Math Instructional Coach with a passion for empowering students and teachers to be confident, curious, and competent mathematicians, regardless of their past experiences in mathematics. Janet draws upon a unique combination of formal and informal teaching experiences that include: (1) teaching high school mathematics at Bureau Valley High School, (2) teaching developmental mathematics at Illinois State University, (3) integrating math, science, and ELA into simulated space mission experiences at the Challenger Learning Center, (4) translating the math and science involved in NASA’s high-energy astrophysics missions into lessons and materials for K-12 classrooms, and (5) providing professional development for teachers on behalf of ISBE, NSF, and MSP during the transition to Common Core and NGSS standards. In her curriculum development and professional development endeavors, Janet emphasizes an inquiry-based, SEL-focused approach to mathematics instruction that allows students and teachers to understand mathematical concepts through meaningful experiences.
• Allycia Uhrhan, 6th Grade Science Teacher
  With ten years of experience teaching all core subjects in middle school, Allycia Uhrhan brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as science department chair in her building. Her dedication to student-centered learning has earned her the NSTA’s Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award for New Science Teachers twice, along with district-wide influence for her work in standards-based grading. She shares her passion for education as an adjunct professor at Washington University and through service on NSTA advisory boards. Her love of science extends to exploring National Parks with her husband and two sons.
• Brooke Whitworth, Educational Consultant
  Dr. Brooke A. Whitworth is an associate professor and educational consultant who works to support educators by bridging the research-practice gap and making professional learning and development engaging and meaningful. She has delivered over 1,000 hours of professional learning and development around the country to thousands of educators. Brooke teaches on best practices in education, differentiation, assessment, curriculum, and leadership development. She has received over $12 million in grant funding and has been published in high-tier research journals and practitioner journals alike. Brooke is also a National Science Teaching Association Fellow, received the Association for Science Teacher Education’s Outstanding Educator of the Year Award, and is a recipient of Clemson University’s College of Education Researcher of the Year Award. Participants in her sessions often describe them as the best professional development they have ever attended and as “personally and professionally life changing”. When Brooke is not teaching or consulting, she is often found on the tennis court or stand-up paddling with her dog Emi on a lake.

Details

The conference includes registration, a poster session, and key-note address on Friday.  Saturday includes breakout sessions, site visits and key-note presentation as well as an optional excursion to City Museum.  On Sunday there will be a key-note presentation and a morning session related to the Midwest STEM Teacher Innovation Project. Conference attendees will visit specific St Louis, MO area locations to develop a curriculum that could later be applied in hometowns.

Site Visits

• Missouri History Museum and Forest Park
• National Weather Service
• Missouri Botanical Garden
• Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum
• National Building Arts Center
• Melvin Price Locks and Dam
• Urban Farm ar Urban League
• Gateway Arch
• Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House

Retention and Success of Teachers and Students via Cultural Relevance in STEM Education

Date: October 20, 2023 – October 22, 2023
Location: Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, St. Louis, MO
Program Information: Program Agenda

Speakers

• Jennifer O'Malley, Serves as the director of the Chicago Teacher Education Pipeline (CTEP) at Illinois State University
• Lisa Gonsalves, Full Professor in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Massachusetts Boston
• Jenny Grandfield, Mathematics educator in the City of Chicago
• Alex Paulsen, Chemistry educator at Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy (IHSCA)
• Dr. Jennifer Ellis, Temporary Program Director for the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. Jennifer Ellis is also an associate professor and director of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education at UTC

Details

Retention and Success of Teachers and Students via Cultural Relevance in STEM Education, attendees will visit specific St Louis, MO area locations to develop a curriculum that could later be applied in hometowns. A session for PI's will be held on Sunday, including Dr. Jennifer Ellis. She will share Noyce program updates and answer questions on program changes, new solicitations, and project-specific questions.

Site Visits

• EarthDance Organic Farm School
• Bellefontaine Fall Tree Walk
• The Gateway Arch National Park
• The Danforth Plant Science Center
• Missouri Botanical Garden
• St Louis Zoo
• Tower Grove Park
• Missouri Historical Society
• The National Weather Service, St. Louis
• Weldon Springs Nuclear Waste Site

Accessing, Engaging, & Building upon STEM Students' Lives, Communities, and Experiences

Date: February 24, 2023 – February 26, 2023
Location: Double Tree by Hilton, Little Rock, AR
Program Information: Program Agenda

Speakers

• Dr. Christi Bergin, (Ed.S, Ph.D. Stanford University) is the Associate Dean of Research and Innovation in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Missouri.
• Dr. Roni Ellington, Associate Professor, Advanced Studies Leadership & Policy was at the Morgan State University
• Dr. Mindy Capaldi, Program Director for the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. Mindy Capaldi is from Valparaiso University, where she is an Associate Professor of Mathematics & Statistics.

Details

Accessing, Engaging, & Building upon STEM Students' Lives, Communities, and Experiences, attendees will visit specific Little Rock, AR area locations to develop a curriculum that could later be applied in hometowns. A session for PI's will be held on Sunday, including Dr. Mindy Capaldi. She will share Noyce program updates and answer questions on program changes, new solicitations, and project-specific questions.

Site Visits

• Little Rock Central High School, National Historic Site
• Historic Arkansas Museum
• The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum
• The Big Damn Bridge
• Heifer International Center
• Pinnacle Mountain State Park
• The Mosaic Templar's Cultural Museum
• Arkansas River Trail
• Little Rock Zoo
• Hot Springs, AR

Exploring Beneath the Surface: Going Deeper into Culturally Relevant Practices Across the Rural–Urban Continuum

Date: February 3, 2022 – February 6, 2022
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, Louisville, KY and Cave City Convention Center, Cave City, KY
Program Information: Program Agenda

Extra Virtual Conference

• Date: February 20, 2022 – February 25, 2022
• Location: Virtual Conference
• Program Information: Program Agenda

Speakers

• Mr. Benjamin Winchester, Rural Sociologist, University of Minnesota Extension, Center for Community Vitality 2001. Masters of Science, Rural Sociology from the University of Missouri, Columbia. 1995. B.A. Mathematics, Area of Concentration in Statistics from the University of Minnesota, Morris. Q&A will follow the presentation.
• Dr. Sheneka M. Williams (Ed.D., 2007, Peabody College of Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University) is professor and chairperson of the Department of Educational Administration at Michigan State University. Prior to accepting a position at Michigan State University, Dr. Williams spent the first 13 years of her academic career at the University of Georgia.
• Dr. Pamela J. Buffington, PhD., is the Director of Rural the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Initiatives for the US Division at Education Development Center (EDC) where she focuses on bridging research and practice with STEM researchers and practitioners particularly in service to the needs of rural schools and districts.

Details

Exploring Beneath the Surface: Going deeper into culturally relevant practices across the rural-urban continuum, attendees will visit specific locations in the Cave City, KY area to develop curriculum that could later be applied in hometowns. A session for PI's will be held on Sunday, including Dr. Mindy Capaldi. She will share Noyce program updates and answer questions on program changes, new solicitations, and project specific questions.

Site Visits

• Hidden River Cave and American Cave Museum
• National Corvette Museum
• Paipark & Train Museum
• Adventure of Mammoth Cave, Zip Lines and Aeral Challenge
• Sacred Seed Farm and Modern Farm Concepts
• Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo
• Mammoth Onyx Cave
• Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum

Fostering Equity and Culturally Relevant STEM Practices for COVID-19 and Beyond

Date: February 5, 2021 – February 11, 2021
Location: Virtual Conference
Program Information: Program Agenda

Speakers

• Dr. Samuel Museus is Professor of Education Studies at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Samuel Museus is Professor of Education Studies at the University of California, San Diego. He also serves as Founding Director of the National Institute for Transformation and Equity at Indiana University. Museus has produced well over 300 publications and conference presentations focused on diversity and equity, campus environments, and college student outcomes. His publications include 10 books, including Creating Campus Cultures: Fostering Success among Racially Diverse Student Populations and Racism and Racial Equity in Higher Education. Museus is also creator of the Culturally Engaging Campus Environments (CECE) Model of College Success and the CECE survey, which are tools that colleges and universities around the nation are now using to advance their inclusion and equity agendas and foster success among racially diverse populations. Museus has previously received several national awards in recognition of the impact of his scholarship, including the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) Early Career Award in 2011 and the NASPA George D. Kuh Outstanding Contribution to Research and Literature Award in 2014. His work has also been featured in several high-profile media outlets, such as NPR, the Boston Globe, and the Washington Post. Museus also consults with college campuses in the United States and abroad that seek to transform their institutions and cultivate more inclusive organizational environments.
• Dr. Natalie C. Johnson was recently appointed as Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Mathematics at National Louis University. Dr. Natalie C. Johnson was recently appointed as Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Mathematics at National Louis University. Prior to that, she served over 30 years as an educator and community service advocate. She is the founder and CEO of READit, an education consulting firm specializing in closing the achievement gap across the U.S., college and career readiness, and financial literacy. Her clients included: Northwestern University, Lewis University, and FERMI Lab. Although she retired from teaching high school mathematics in May 2020, she realized an illustrious career in K-12 public school education where she taught and mentored students and staff at the middle school, high school and collegiate levels covering courses such as algebra, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus and calculus. She also taught Advanced Placement AB and BC Calculus for over ten years as well as Differential Equations and remains an AP Advocate.
• Dr. Sandra Richardson, Program Director for the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. Dr. Richardson is a Program Director at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the Division of Undergraduate Education in the Directorate of Education and Human Resources. Prior to her position at NSF, she served as an Associate Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics & Computer Science at Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA and previously held a joint faculty appointment in Department of Mathematics and Department of Teacher Education at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. She holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Dillard University, where she was a student in LS-LAMP during her sophomore, junior, and senior years. She later earned both a M.S. and Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from Purdue University. She graduated from high school at the age of 15 and received her Ph.D. at the age of 23. Dr. Richardson discussed the status of the Robert Noyce Program and shared the organization’s plans for the future.

Additional Resources

Timothy J Pennings' Kitchen Calculus: Essentials of Calculus

Developing Strategies for Bringing Experiential Math and Science Teaching to High Needs Schools

Date: November 1, 2019 – November 3, 2019
Location: Marriott Hotel St. Louis Airport, St. Louis, MO
Program Information: Program Agenda

Speakers

• Dr. Jennifer Hernandez, SIUE Assistant Professor who works with students in alternative educational settings developing and implementing teaching practices that dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline from inside the classrooms. Q&A will follow the presentation.
• Dr. Michael Marder is a co-founder and executive director of UTeach, a program based at UT Austin preparing STEM teachers at 44 universities across the United States. His research interests lie in studying and presenting educational data, with a focus on the effects of poverty.
• Dr. Pendred “Penny” Noyce is a doctor, educator, and writer. In 1991, she helped establish the Noyce Foundation in honor of her father, Robert Noyce, co-inventor of the integrated circuit and co-founder of Intel. The foundation focuses on improving K-12 education, particularly in mathematics and science. Q&A will follow the presentation. Book signings will follow the Q&A.
• Dr. Art McCoy is currently Superintendent in Jennings School District near St. Louis. Dr. McCoy has served on numerous executive boards and councils including the MUNY, Sheldon, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Commerce Bank Business Advisory Board, Ranken Technical College, University of Missouri-St. Louis Chancellor’s Council, and Missouri Chamber of Commerce 2030 Alliance.
• Dr. Sandra Richardson, Program Director for the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program.

Details

Developing Strategies for Bringing Experiential Math and Science Teaching to High Needs Schools, attendees will visit specific locations in the St. Louis area to develop curriculum that could later be applied in hometowns.

A session for PI's will be held on Sunday, including Dr. Sandra Richardson. She will share Noyce program updates and answer questions on program changes, new solicitations, and project specific questions.

Site Visits

• Museum of Westward Expansion
• Soulard Market
• Mississippi River/Arch
• Riverfront/Landing
• Laumeier Sculpture Park
• Center for Human Origins

Leveraging Best Practices for Community-Based STEM Education in High Need Schools

Date: October 12, 2018 – Octover 14, 2018
Location: Marriott Hotel St. Louis Airport, St. Louis, MO
Program Information: Program Agenda

Speakers

• Dr. Craig Willey, PH.D. - Mathematics Educator at IUPUI.
• Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent of Topeka Public School District, Topeka, KS
• Dr. Sandra Richardson, Program Director for the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program

Details

Leveraging Best Practices for Community-Based STEM Education in High Need Schools, attendees visited locations in the St. Louis area and developed curriculum that could later be applied in hometowns. A session for PI's was held on Sunday, led by Dr. Sandra Richardson. She shared Noyce program updates and answered questions on program changes, new solicitations, and project specific questions.

Site Visits

• National Weather Service
• St. Louis, MO Weather Forecast Office
• Lambert Art & Culture Program
• Boone Bridge
• Fee Fee Greenway Extension
• Humane Wildlife Solutions, LLC
• Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis - Sanford Biggers Exhibit
• Urban Harvest STL - Food Roof Farm
• Harvest Fest at Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club
• Earthdance Organic Farm
• Seeds of Hope Farm

Connecting STEM Learning to the Community

Date: October 14, 2017 – Octover 15, 2017
Location: Hilton St. Louis Airport, St. Louis, MO
Program Information: Program Agenda

Details

For the 2017 Conference, Connecting STEM Learning to the Community, attendees visited specific locations in the St. Louis area to develop curriculum that could later be applied in hometowns. A session for PI's was held on Sunday, led by Dr. Kim Nguyen. Dr. Sharon Vestal discussed using a professional learning community to retain STEM teachers. Dr. Sandra Richardson shared Noyce program updates and answered questions on program changes, new solicitations, and project specific questions. Dr. Kim Nguyen led a discussion on project evaluation, evidence of project outcomes, and collective impacts.

Site Visits

• St. Louis Arch, World Bird Sanctuary
• Museum of Transportation
• Forest Park
• World Chess Hall of Fame
• St. Louis Science Center
• St. Louis Zoo
• Laumeier Sculpture Park
• Missouri Botanical Garden
• Challenger Learning Center
• Cathedral Basilica
• Frank Lloyd Wright House
• City Museum