TSEC's Kevin Ragland (left) and Greg Rushton (right) join the fun at a recent STEM outreach event.

Adapt-A-Cart is a “I” shaped frame that has docks on both sides of the device, these docks capture the caster wheel on the chair and the cart simultaneously, providing a platform that allows the user to simply move their chair how they normally would, and the shopping cart would follow in that direction. To date, the project is still in the works, one of the toughest challenges they have faced has been maneuvering the shopping cart under heavy loads without sacrificing the overall simplicity of the interface. The unit itself weighs about 5 pounds at the most, making it incredibly easy to move around the grocery store for both workers and users.

When a user engages with Adapt-A-Cart, the rear casters of the shopping cart and the wheelchair casters, are lifted off the ground, allowing only the front casters of the shopping cart and the wheels of the chair to contact the ground and move the entire body, essentially making the whole unit itself a long wheelchair. 

Author Team for this newsletter article (all MTSU undergraduate students in STEM): Seth Martinez, Imran Khan, Morgan Allen, Anthony Joanow, and Nicholas Elliot

The Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN) promotes and expands the teaching and learning of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education in K-12 schools (both public and private) across Tennessee. This year's TSIN Summit, titled Sparking Curiosity, was held on May 16-17 at Nashville's Music City Center and reached over 450 educators in-person and virtual attendees alike!

Dr. Kevin Ragland, TSEC Associate Director and Director of the Middle TN STEM Hub, addressed attendees highlighting the hub's primary initiatives and raising awareness of its numerous grant-funded resources available to all educators across the region.

The event reaches over 450 educators across the state

Dr. Kevin Ragland presenting at this year's Summit

The Middle TN STEM Innovation Hub, housed within the Tennessee STEM Education Center, in conjunction with the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network again provided Innovative Educator Workshops for K-12 educators in Middle Tennessee. The workshops are designed to bring engaging professional development credit opportunities to educators. The day-long workshops offer catered lunches and mileage reimbursement alongside the knowledge and collaboration provided in the workshops.

Empowering Minds in STEM: Unlocking the Potential of Inquiry-Based Learning

The first workshop was held on June 6th at MTSU’s Science Building. The workshop featured Jesse Lumpkins, the 2018 recipient of the CTE Teacher of the Year for Metro Nashville, who discussed the theory and application of inquiry-based learning with teachers in attendance.

Teachers explore an inquiry-based learning activity

Workshop facilitator, Jessie Lumpkins, shares some background on inquiry-based learning with teachers

Mrs. Lumpkins led the teachers in an inquiry based-learning laboratory activity as well as helped them develop and refine their own lesson plans using inquiry-based learning.

How to Spike Your Lesson Plans

 The second workshop, “How to Spike Your Lesson Plans” was held on June 8th at MTSU’s Science Building.  Annemarie Lampright, the STEM Coordinator for the Lawrence County School District, led teachers in an engaging and fun workshop on how to spike their lesson plans with computer science and robotics. Each teacher was provided a Lego Spike Essential Robotics kit to help them learn beginning coding skills through basic drag-and-drop software.

Mrs. Lampright sits on the State Computer Advisory Board, leads the Lawrence County School Systems STEM Designation movement, and is the Executive Director of the 501 c3 program STEMtech21 which provides STEM programs to rural communities and at local Children’s Hospitals.

Teachers build their own robots to test coding skills

Workshop participants test their coding skills in competitive activities

The Innovative Educator Workshops are supported by a $35,000 grant Dr. Kevin Ragland and the Middle Tennessee STEM Innovation Hub received from Battelle Education through the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network to conduct teacher professional development for K-12 teachers on strategies that expand the teaching and learning of STEM education. 

Innovative Educator professional development workshops for middle school and high school STEM educators will be offered during the summer of 2023 by the Middle Tennessee STEM Innovation Hub.

Twenty-five middle and high school STEM teachers completed training in the Data Science Teacher Ambassador Program at MTSU earlier this spring. The Data Science Teacher Ambassador Program was a joint effort by the Tennessee STEM Education Center and the Data Science Institute at MTSU.

Dr. Ryan Otter

Dr. Keith Gamble

As part of the program, participating school districts were provided a free subscription to Juice along with the training and were in turn asked to share program content with colleagues in their respective school districts to help facilitate the expansion of data science across STEM courses.  Participating school districts included Cannon County, Marshall County, Moore County, Murfreesboro City, Rutherford County, Sumner County, and Wilson County.

Data Science Director and Professor of Biology, Dr. Ryan Otter, Professor of Economics and Finance, Dr. Keith Gamble, and Zach Gemignani, CEO of Juice Analytics, led teachers through the second set of data science modules that introduced teachers on how to integrate data science into existing courses using Juice software. 

Participants work together to integrate data science into existing lesson plans

Facilitators, Ryan Otter and Zach Gemignani, help students problem-solve during the workshop

The Data Science Teacher Ambassador program is supported by a $50,000 grant Dr. Kevin Ragland and the Middle Tennessee STEM Innovation Hub received from Battelle Education through the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network to conduct teacher professional development for K-12 teachers on strategies that expand the teaching and learning of computer science. 

 

In May, the Tennessee STEM Education Leadership Council (TNSELC) held its annual election for members of the executive committee.  Dr. Kevin Ragland, Associate Director of the Tennessee STEM Education Center at MTSU, was elected as chair of the council. His two-year term began in May and will conclude in May of 2024. The mission of the Tennessee STEM Education Leadership Council is to advocate for and promote STEM education in Tennessee so that every person will have access to quality STEM educational opportunities. 

Dr. Ragland will serve as 2023-2025 TNSELC Chair 

The membership of TNSELC includes individuals from higher education, the State Department of Education, the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network, science museums, and industry.

Izzie Rushton

Similar to the bright pink hair, Izzie Rushton’s personality is vibrant and exciting. She attends the University of South Carolina majoring in biochemistry and minoring in ceramics. These together allow Izzie to pursue her curiosity and creativity. Moreover, she is the co-director for her scholarship’s transition team, training director for USC’s student radio station, and press secretary for the student senate. 

Izzie is joining TSEC for the summer as a student researcher. She loves creating graphics and figures for the center. She explains that “being able to put all these grand ideas into something digestible and understandable is a rewarding challenge.” Izzie is also grateful for the community and environment created at TSEC. “Everything you do, even if it’s just making a spreadsheet, feels important because you can see people using it.” Izzie enjoys being able to voice her ideas and opinions in a place that respects and values her perspective. 

While Izzie hopes to pursue research in the hard sciences, she is grateful for the opportunities TSEC has provided her with. Her advice to future researchers is, “Don’t be afraid to speak up!” Being bold in her ideas has allowed Izzie to contribute in meetings and on projects. 

Izzie exudes confidence in herself, her work, and her choice of animal she would want to be. Izzie argues a Spinosaurus, a prehistoric dinosaur, is the ideal animal for her because no one would mess with her, she could both swim and bake in the sun, and she could hang out with other dinosaurs. “The idea of exploring another era is very exciting.” Izzie’s excitement and vibrance is contagious; we enjoy having her here at TSEC!

Aspen Malone is one of TSEC’s new undergraduate researchers. She is originally from Amarillo, Texas and is currently studying Biochemistry with a minor in Health Humanities at ACU. On campus she serves as the captain of a dance club, the president of her school’s pickleball club, as well as the chair of the honors council. Aspen’s plans for the future include graduate school, becoming a chemistry professor, traveling the world, and finding a balance between teaching and research. 

Aspen Malone

According to Aspen, her time at TSEC has given her the experiences and opportunities to be confident in a research setting. Before her time here, she was perhaps apprehensive about the research aspect of academia; however, after working closely with Dr. Rushton, Aspen says she is “more excited and prepared to do research.” She plans to transform her work done this summer into her senior thesis for ACU. When asked about her favorite parts of TSEC, Aspen praised the friendly atmosphere. “People went out of their way to introduce themselves to me,” described Aspen, “I feel like I’ve really gotten to know everyone.” 

Through her time with TSEC, she has found an appreciation for research and a love for the merging of disciplines, such as Chem-Ed—Dr. Rushton’s specialty! She was able to put this new found love into action through her work on two papers that are in the process of being published. If she had to give any advice to new researchers, Aspen recommends both “growing your professional network and community” as well as “premeditating on your day so you can have a set of accomplishable goals when you come in.” 

While she has shown herself to be creative in her work here at TSEC, she was equally creative in assigning herself an animal for the day. “I would like to be a Bee. Not only are they colorful and important to the environment, but they are also able to see on the UV spectrum. That’s the real reason I would want to be a bee: to see all the colors.” 

Like her prospective animal, Aspen has shown herself to be an incredibly kind and determined worker, and we love having her here at TSEC! 

Nearly 220 elementary, middle, and high school students from across Middle Tennessee shared their STEM project results at STEM EXPO on April 5th at MTSU.  Students participating in the event had been engaged in STEM projects involving a process of inquiry in response to a complex question, problem, or challenge. 

These projects help students learn key academic content and practice skills necessary for success such as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Students competed in one of 3 age groups (5-6th grade, 7th-8th grade, or 9th – 12th grade) and one of four content areas, agricultural STEM, engineering, STEM research, or technology.

Over 200 students presented research results at 2023 STEM EXPO. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Elementary school students share research results with STEM EXPO judge (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

“We were really pleased with the quality of projects as well as the students’ enthusiasm to share their results,” said Kevin Ragland, event organizer and TSEC Associate Director. He added, “we are also very appreciative of our university and industry partners that shared their expertise and time with the students to evaluate their projects and offer the students encouragement and advice.”

Overall winners by age category were:

5th – 6th grade

1st place – Liberty Creek Middle

2nd place – Hobgood Elementary

3rd place – Overall Creek Elementary

7th – 8th grade

1st place - Stewarts Creek Middle

2nd place - Stewarts Creek Middle

3rd place - Stewarts Creek Middle

9th – 12th grade

1st place – Harpeth Hall

2nd place – Harpeth Hall

3rd place – Harpeth Hall

STEM EXPO was supported by MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences, the Tennessee STEM Education Center, and the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network.

 

TSEC is fortunate to have formal partnerships with faculty across STEM education on campus. One of the ways we achieve these partnerships is through the Associate Director and Faculty Fellow programs.

TSEC welcomes any permanent, full-time faculty member, from any academic unit, with a demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Center (i.e., to improve K-20 STEM education both locally and nationally by identifying and addressing critical issues that promote access, equity, innovation, and leadership).

Email Dr. Sarah Bleiler-Baxter with questions.

 

Grants Submitted

 

Preparation and Refinement of Postdocs in STEM for Disciplinary-Based Education Research (PROPS for DBER). Gardner, G. E., Rushton, G. T., Kaplan, J. J., Bleiler-Baxter, S. K., Barnes, M. E., National Science Foundation STEM Education Organizational Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (STEM Ed OPRF), Federal, $1,249,445.00.

 

An Investigation of Virtual Reality Initiatives and Workforce Development. Mosley, C., Sloane, M.E., Jin, Y., Ragland, K. Institute of Museum and Library Services. $549,574.

 

Agriculture Biotechnology Learning Experience (ABLE) for Middle School Students. Ragland, K. R, Rueby, L., Enochs E. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), $564,995

Active Grants 

 

Collaborative Research: A Delphi Study to Develop and Assessment of Departmental Culture Effects on Biology Graduate Student Teaching Professional Development. Gardner, G. (PI), Marbach-Ad, G., Miller, K., Schussler, E. NSF ECR. $238,371.

 

NSF INCLUDES Alliance: The Alliance of Students with Disabilities for Inclusion, Networking, and Transition Opportunities in STEM (TAPDINTO-STEM), Bleiler-Baxter, SK. National Science Foundation (NSF) EES- 2119902, $109,000, 2021-2026.

 

Deeper learning professional development for high school agriculture teachers, Jin Y., Mosley, C., Song, C. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), $450,000, 2023-2025.

 

Collaborative Research: Exploring the Impact of Noyce Master Teaching Fellowship Programs on Teacher Retention: The Role of Motivation, Leadership, and School-Work Environment, Rushton, GT.  National Science Foundation (NSF) DUE-1949925, $214,350, 2020-2023.

 

Collaborative Research: Investigating Classroom Discourse in Active Learning Environments for Large Enrollment Chemistry Courses, Rushton, GT. National Science Foundation (NSF) DUE-1914813, $609,435, 2019-2023.

 

Data Science Teacher Ambassador Program, Ragland KD. Battelle Education, $50,000, 2022-2023.

 

Innovative Educator Workshops and STEM Hub Operations, Ragland, KD. Battelle Education, $35,000, 2022-2023.

Grimes, Z . & Gardner, G. (2023). Conceptions of disciplinary anxiety across Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Contexts: A critical and theoretical synthesis. Journal of Research in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education. 6, 21-46. 10.31756/jrsmte.612SI.

 

Nennig, H.T., Macrie-Shuck, M., Fateh, S., GÜNEŞ, Z.D.K., Cole, R., Rushton, G., Shah, L. and Talanquer, V., (2023). Exploring social and cognitive engagement in small groups through a Community of Learners (CoL) lens. Chemistry Education Research and Practice. DOI: 10.1039/D3RP00071K

 

Reid, J.W., Polizzi, S.J., Zhu, Y., Jiang, S., Ofem, B., Salisbury, S., Beeth, M., Mohr-Schroeder, M., Sheppard, K., Roehrig, G. and Rushton, G.T., (2023). Perceived network bridging influences the career commitment decisions of early career teachers. International Journal of STEM Education, 10(1), pp.1-13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-023-00408-9

Ayangbola, O. Theresa, Bleiler-Baxter, S. K., Scott, F. C., James, O., Heath, A. L., Gardner, G. E., Rushton, G. T., 96th Annual National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) International Conference, "Reflections on inclusive pedagogy among STEM faculty during Teaching TRIOS Peer Observation Process," Chicago, IL. (April 20, 2023). 

Couch, B., & Gardner, G. (April, 2023). Understanding the connection between students’ acceptance of socioscientific issues and information sources. National Association of Research in Science Teaching (NARST) annual conference. Chicago, IL. 

Freeman, A., Rolle, C., Riggs, K., Sroka, G., Brinthaupt, T., & Gardner, G. (April, 2023). Effects of professional development on graduate teaching assistant pedagogical discontentment and self-efficacy. Annual Cross-Disciplinary-Based Education Research (X-DBER) Virtual Conference. Online.

Gardner, G., Freeman, A., Rolle, C., & Riggs, K. (April, 2023). Outcomes from STEM graduate student teaching professional development programs: A meta-analysis. Annual Cross-Disciplinary-Based Education Research (X-DBER) Virtual Conference. Online.

Heath, A. L., Baxter, S. K., Scott, F. C., James, O., Ayangbola, O. Theresa, Gardner, G. E., Rushton, G. T., 25th Annual Conference on Research on Undergraduate Mathematics Education (RUME), "Levels of reflection in strength-based and weakness-based STEM faculty peer-observation," Omaha, NE. (February 23, 2023).