Scheduled and Recent Events

Graduate Student Committee - Career Steps Webinar Series #2

Friday, August 29 2025
2 pm EDT / 1 pm CDT

Registration Link: https://members.narst.org/event/Career-Steps-Series2

Navigating the transition from graduate studies to a fulfilling career can feel overwhelming. With countless possibilities - academia, industry, government, non-profits, and beyond - graduate students often find themselves uncertain about which path to pursue or how to begin. The Graduate Student Committee recognizes this challenge and is proud to introduce the Career Steps Webinar Series, an engaging, monthly webinar series designed to illuminate multiple career trajectories, offer practical guidance, and foster meaningful connections within the NARST community. This webinar series features accomplished PhDs and seasoned NARST members who have traversed the journey you are beginning. By sharing their personal stories - complete with challenges, pivotal moments, and unexpected opportunities - our speakers bring to life the myriad routes to career success. More than mere inspiration, these sessions provide concrete strategies, resources, and networks you can leverage as you craft your own path. After all, one connection meaningful connection can be the spark that redefines your career trajectory.

Speakers: 
Christina Lee Baze, Assistant Professor of STEM Education at Northern Arizona University

Science Denial and Disinformation: Teaching and Learning in Uncertain Times

Wednesday, September 17 2025
3–4:30 pm EDT / 2 – 3:30 pm CDT

Registration Link: https://members.narst.org/event/Denial-and-Disinformation

This panel--co-hosted by JRST and guest editors (K.C. Busch and Doug Lombardi)--will feature authors from the JRST Virtual Special Issue Learning and Teaching in Times of Science Denial and Disinformation. As science education researchers and practitioners face growing challenges related to misinformation and erosion of public trust in science, this event brings together contributors to share key insights and implications from their published work. The synchronous session will include brief presentations by selected authors followed by a moderated discussion, and will be video recorded and available for asynchronous viewing after the event. This event aims to provide an opportunity to reflect and engage in critical dialogue around the role of science education research and practice in times of information uncertainty and evolving perspectives on the usefulness of scientific practices to facilitate the collective good.

Speakers: 
K.C. Busch, North Carolina State University
Doug Lombardi, University of Maryland

CADASE Virtual Mentoring Sessions: Supporting Scholars Across Career Stages

Monday, September 22 2025
1-2:30 pm EDT / 12 – 1:30 pm CDT

Registration Link: https://members.narst.org/event/CADASEVirtSess-Supporting-Scholars

Join the Continental and Diasporic Africa in Science Education (CADASE) RIG for an engaging 90-minute virtual mentoring event focused on supporting scholars navigating academic and professional growth. Whether you are finalizing your dissertation, seeking your first faculty position, or navigating mid-career transitions and solid teaching experiences, this event is designed with you in mind. Participants will pre-register to attend two out of three themed sessions, each offering timely insight and direct mentorship. The research reports, “We recognize that labels such as marginalized, underrepresented, minority, diverse, and scholars of color can be problematic for how we frame identity issues in the academy” (Malacca, M. R. & Mensah, F. M., 2012). “The questions, methods, and methodologies in science teacher education vary and add much to the field’s evolving understanding of research and what is gained in understanding issues and questions to promote science teaching and learning” (Mensah, F. M. & Chen, J. L., 2022). “Existent research indicates that postsecondary Black faculty members, who are sorely underrepresented in the academy, especially in STEM fields, assume essential roles; chief among these roles is diversifying higher education” (Parsons, E. R. et al, 2016). The format of the webinar: 1) Introduction of speakers & the purpose of CADASE from CADASE Special Administration Chairs; 2) 25-minute session of all three topics; 3) Break (Five minutes); 4) 25-minute session of all three topics; 5) Closing remarks from webinar participants and CADASE Chairs. Topics include: 1) Publishing and Junior Faculty Mentoring, focused on manuscript writing and establishing a publication pipeline, facilitator Dr. Felicia Mensah; 2) Job Market and Early Career Mentoring, covering networking, job listings, and career possibilities both within and beyond academia, facilitator Dr. Malcolm Butler; and 3) Current Challenges in Academia and Mid-to-Senior Faculty Mentoring, centering conversations on institutional climate, sustainability, and navigating complex academic landscapes, facilitator Dr. Mary Atwater.

Speakers: 
Rona M Robinson-Hill, Ball State University/CADASE Chair
Dr. Jonathan Hall, California State University, San Bernardino/CADASE RIG Chair

Graduate Student Committee - Career Steps Webinar Series #3

Friday, September 26 2025
2 pm EDT / 1 pm CDT

Registration Link: https://members.narst.org/event/Career-Steps-Series3

Navigating the transition from graduate studies to a fulfilling career can feel overwhelming. With countless possibilities - academia, industry, government, non-profits, and beyond - graduate students often find themselves uncertain about which path to pursue or how to begin. The Graduate Student Committee recognizes this challenge and is proud to introduce the Career Steps Webinar Series, an engaging, monthly webinar series designed to illuminate multiple career trajectories, offer practical guidance, and foster meaningful connections within the NARST community. This webinar series features accomplished PhDs and seasoned NARST members who have traversed the journey you are beginning. By sharing their personal stories - complete with challenges, pivotal moments, and unexpected opportunities - our speakers bring to life the myriad routes to career success. More than mere inspiration, these sessions provide concrete strategies, resources, and networks you can leverage as you craft your own path. After all, one connection meaningful connection can be the spark that redefines your career trajectory.

Speakers: 
Dr. Gaspard Baye, ex-NSBE chapter President