Sul Ross State University and the Noyce Scholars Program will host the second annual Science of STEM Literacy conference on Monday, July 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Museum of the Big Bend on the university’s Alpine campus.
The event is free and open to all educators, who will receive six hours of continuing education units (CEUs). Members of the general public are also welcome to attend. Lunch will be provided.
The conference highlights innovative teaching strategies in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and aims to enhance student outcomes across both K–12 and higher education.
The day opens with a keynote by Dr. William H. Robertson of the University of Texas at El Paso. A nationally recognized STEM educator, Robertson is known for his Dr. Skateboard’s Action Science initiative, which blends physical science concepts with action sports. His address, “Integrating Your Passion into STEM Education,” will focus on project-based learning and inquiry-driven instruction.
Interactive breakout sessions will follow, covering topics such as:
- Dark Skies and environmental education
- Classroom safety in science labs
- Project-based learning approaches
- Universal instructional design
- STEM outreach led by The Science Mill of Johnson City
The lunchtime keynote will be delivered by Dr. Jesse Kelsch, assistant professor of geology at Sul Ross. Her talk, “Engaging Students of All Majors with Real and Local Geoscientific Data,” will draw on Earth science examples from the Big Bend region.
Closing the day will be Cody Cly, a Ph.D. candidate in astrophysics at UT San Antonio and a first-generation Diné Navajo scientist. His keynote, “Intercultural Science and Community Science Outreach,” will explore how STEM can serve as a bridge between cultural knowledge systems. Cly is affiliated with NASA’s SCoPE initiative and works to expand STEM access on the Navajo Nation and beyond.
To register or learn more, visit: https://sites.google.com/view/science-of-stem-literacy/home
For additional information, email: noyce@sulross.edu
