Virtual Events and Webinars

Virtual Events and Webinars

EAST MEETS WEST: A Candid Talk on the Pros and Cons of Using Standardized Tests as Assessment Tools of Students in Mathematics and Science; Globally,What Appears to Work and Not Work?

May 3, 2023

Dr. Patrice J. Pinder, Independent STEM Education Researcher, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, Representing the CARICOM Caribbean Islands

Provided was a global snapshot of the various standardized exams to see what appeared to be working and not working across countries. In looking at and examining students’ performances on the various standardized tests, I wanted to see if these types of testing were benefitting students worldwide from the region of Asia to Europe to North America to Central/South/Latin America and the Caribbean, were students doing well on these exams? And, which countries were the higher performers and which the lesser performers specifically in respect to mathematics and science? In examining students’ test scores on the global/generalized PISA and TIMSS assessment measures and specific country- designed standardized tests, what did the story really reveal? The “candid” and “real and honest answers” to the aforementioned questions helped in informing others within the NARST community of education researchers, graduate students, teachers, policy decision makers, testing and measuring experts. This session provided a space for an open dialogue with the NARST webinar attendees, which allowed each attendee to freely discuss what each of them saw as “real” and/or “perceived benefits,” “effectiveness”, and “usefulness” of country-specific and global standardized testing measures.

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Exploring an Interdisciplinary Model of Black (Im)migrant Schooling to Explain Differences in Black Students STEM Performance

April 27, 2023

Dr. Patrice J. Pinder, Independent STEM Education Researcher, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, Representing the CARICOM Caribbean Islands

Across the globe, from the very wealthy continents of North America to Europe to Australia, the phenomenon of some migrant and immigrant students outperforming some native students are observed and documented. Some migrants and immigrants from China, the Philippines, India, Russia, Africa, and the Caribbean are reportedly achieving higher test scores than their native peers. Even within the same race, achievement differences are being observed; for example, African immigrant students seem to be outperforming Afro-Caribbean immigrant students in the UK. What might account for the achievement success of one group of students over the other group especially within the same racial grouping? Are achievement differences among the (im)migrant and non-(im)migrant groups linked to only family dynamics or to socio-cultural or to psychological factors? We explored the “Interdisciplinary Theoretical Model of (Im)migrant Schooling” to effectively account for the achievement differences seen across the globe.

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LGBTQ-Inclusive Education: Strategies for Research and Practice in Science and STEM

February 21, 2023
12:00-1:30 PM

Across the United States, school-centered anti-LGBTQ laws are being passed in staggering numbers, impacting an estimated 25 million children. At a time where many LBGTQ students report feeling unsafe at school and a lack of supportive teachers and positive inclusive curricula in their classrooms, a significant education challenge is how to meet the needs of these students while addressing and dismantling the way the institutions of science and STEM education continue to uphold systems of oppression.

In this Virtual Event, a panel of experts in the field of LGBTQ-inclusive STEM education discussed current research trends in curriculum, teacher preparation, and student success and well-being. Participants had an  opportunity to brainstorm research applications to practice and consider ways to contribute to LGBTQ-inclusion in their work.

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Knowledge Mobilization and Translation Across Boundaries

Sponsored by the NARST International Committee
December 12, 2022
9:00am-10:00am EST

Dr. Mohamed El Nagdi, The American University in Cairo
Contextualization of Educational Experiences and Educational Transfer: STEM Education as a Model

Dr. Muhammad Abd Hadi Bunyamin, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Bringing in Integrated STEM in Teacher Education: Considerations on International, National, Local, and Institutional Contexts for Quality Academic Program

Dr. Tasneem Anwar, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Transfer of STEM Research: Positioning STEM in Pakistan’s National Curriculum of Science

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NARST International Collaboration Series

Monday, October 17, 2022
9:00am-10:00am EST

The NARST International Collaboration Series provides opportunities for members to connect with each other across national borders.

Contact: Gavin Fulmer (gavin-fulmer@uiowa.edu)


How To Better Incorporate the Next Generation Science Standards into Informal Education Settings

September 21, 2022
6:30-8:00pm EST

This presentation will consist of a brief overview of the "basics" of the Next Generation Science Standards and how to apply this knowledge to create and to better align your organization's education efforts with the Next Generation Science Standards.

Contact: Stephen McCloskey (stephen.mccloskey@whales.org


Education Strategies for Educators in Science and Technology Education

August 16, 2022
10:00am WAT

By 2025, over 3.5 million new digitized jobs will be available and 65% of children entering primary schools will find themselves in occupations that do not exist. It is imperative to prepare the talent base needed for a digital economy by a fast adaptation in Science and Technology Education as the demand for IT skills and digital tools are growing and evolving. With new digital tools and transformation trends in technology, skills and knowledge are becoming accessible to all. This hands-on event will guide Science and Technology educators in the South-Eastern region of Nigeria with the instructional pedagogy and project-based learning strategies to better integrate into their classrooms for a more informed experiential learning of students.

Contact: Amanda Obidike (amandachirpy@gmail.com)


NARST International Collaboration Series

August 15, 2022
9:00am-10:00am EST

The NARST International Collaboration Series provides opportunities for members to connect with each other across national borders.

Contact: Gavin Fulmer (gavin-fulmer@uiowa.edu)


NARST Virtual Event:  Writing a NARST Conference Proposal Review

August 11, 2022
12:00-1:30PM EDT

NARST conference proposals undergo a rigorous peer review. NARST strand coordinators Neta Shaby, Beth Lewis, and Xiaoming Zhai discuss the process for producing a high-quality NARST conference proposal review. The webinar explains review process, provides examples of constructive feedback to proposal authors, and gives tips for generating consistent and fair scores across proposals. Both new and experienced NARST reviewers may find the webinar helpful.

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Mid-Career Faculty Forum

March 10, 2022
5:00-6:00 PM Eastern US Time

Got tenure? Got promoted? Clinical? Tenure-Track? Industry? Not sure what’s next? Come discuss what now? And, consider your options as you continue in your career. Individuals who have taken a variety of different paths will be present to share thoughts and wisdom.


Visual Science Communication -- Talking Pictures: How Knowledge is Shared in Our Visual World

March 2, 2022
6:00-7:00 PM GMT/UTC +1
1:00-2:00 PM US EST

Every second, millions of pictures are shared on social media. Our digital spaces are filled to the brim with them.  If we step out on the streets we are surrounded by signs, adds, illustrations. We filled our world with visual information. Moving images capture our gaze. In all this white noise, the question raises if pictures are still effective tools for communicating knowledge. How can we focus on clear, precise yet playful and entertaining ways of visual communication? What possibilities are emerging on the brink of technology and immersive worlds? What stories can we tell with those pictures?


CADASE Webinar Series: Winning African Children Early for Science: Exploring the Impact of African Home/Playground Activities and Folklores 

February 17, 2022
5:00-6:30 AM Eastern US Time
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Reconsidering the Goals of Evolution Education: Defining Evolution and Evolutionary Literacy

February 10, 2022
11 AM Eastern US Time
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NARST Graduate Student Committee (GSC) Webinar

Monday, December 6, 2021, at 11 am EST
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