Transcending Boundaries to Empower ALL Students to Succeed and Persist in Mathematics and STEM Roni Ellington, PhD Plenary Session Midwest Regional Noyce Connections Conference Friday, October 30, 2015 Omaha, Nebraska Roni Ellington, PhD Plenary Session Midwest Regional Noyce Connections Conference Friday, October 30, 2015 Omaha, Nebraska Thank You for the Invitation! It is my pleasure and honor to be here today! I am deeply moved that you thought I had something worth sharing The Leaky Pipeline The numbers for minorities and women are even more dismal! And for minority women, no comment! We are collectively.. THE 911 in Mathematics Education THE STEM CRISIS: Call 911 After decades of well intentioned efforts to make mathematics/STEM education and careers more attractive to a wide range of students, data from various studies reveal that little has changed. Some would assert that STEM education is in CRISIS!!! WHY? WHY? WHY ? The Cost of this Crises One Sisters Answer We need to expand our narrow focus of preparing students to make a living, to one that empowers ALL students for Living Holistic, innovative and transformational lives. This may require a NEW Paradigm for STEM programs and practices that EMPOWERS and LIBERATES, not Just Employs! We need to change WHO WE ARE not just what we do in STEM Transformation is changing how we SEE what we do not just Doing things differently Regaining STEAM in Mathematics! Opening the Gate! My Story Fast Forward Fast Forward again How do we Put the Steam in STEM? STOP Criminal Malpractice that fuels the Leaky STEM PIPELINE A New Vision of Mathematics and STEM Education Transcending Boundaries A Transformative Framework for STEM education Core Question How can we TRANSFORM how we see our work, who we are and what we DO as STEM scholars, stakeholders, leaders and educators? A New Vision for Mathematics/STEM Education Transcending Boundaries Transcending Disciplinary Silos A Transformative Framework for STEM Education Student Identity, Agency, and Resiliency Teacher Professional Development and Empowerment Utilizing Community Social and Cultural Capital Transformative School Practices and CIA Student Identity and Agency Resiliency Community Conscious STEM identity Positive Self-efficacy Academic Self Concept Sense of Belongingness Student Engagement Empowerment Empowered Peer Support Message: I am a competent Math/STEM learner Activity 1: Fostering Positive Mathematics and STEM Identities Transformative School-Based Practices Caring teachers, school personnel and community Culturally Relevant Curriculum and Pedagogy Transdisciplinary Programs, Practices and Partnerships Problem-Based Learning Experiences Social Justice Focused Curriculum Message: STEM Education is Critical, Vital and Relevant to me, my communities and solving real problems Activity 2: Best Practice Brainstorm Teachers PD and Empowerment Creating Positive Learning Environments for minority students in STEM Addressing the Social Cultural Positioning of students Relationship and Partnership Building Transdisciplinary Teacher Training and PD Professional Communities of Practice Message: Teachers are more than content experts, they are game changers, agents of transformation, and critical partners in developing our children Activity 3: PD that Empowers Utilizing Community Social and Cultural Capital Real Partnership Building (School, Community, Business, Non-profit) Business Role models and mentors Mentoring and Academic Support Programs Learning Experiences connected to community concerns and issues Message: We recognize that education occurs in historic, cultural, social, and contexts, and I draw on the rich resources of the community to enhance the teaching and learning in Mathematics/STEM and the development of children. We partner with communities in all that we do Activity 4: Community Gold Mining A Bold Challenge See yourselves as Agents of Transformation by: Thinking outside the box, together. Consider This. P= 7.2 Billion 1% of P = 72,000,000 1% of P=8,485 The number of people it takes to create world change The Dawn of a new day A Bold Challenge If we change the way we look at STEM and the work we do, what we look at changes. A Bold Challenge Never sell out on the vision because the problems get hard. STEM EDUCTION Redefined NowThe Future From Content Centered approach From a focus on Math/STEM people From individual From STEM as simply means to get a job Student Empowerment Centered To a Focus on ALL people To Collective efforts To STEM as a vehicle to Transforming People, the Nation and the world Thanks For Your listening to my thoughts and bringing these ideas to your discussion groups. The Result Lets Continue to Dialogue We are hosting a BBA reception today!! We look forward to dialoging with you on how to put the STEAM in Math and Beyond!