Scheduled and Recent Events

Research Beyond Academia: Exploring Alternative Pathways for Education Researchers

Tuesday, July 8 2025
12-1 pm EDT / 11am – 12pm CDT

Registration Link: https://members.narst.org/event/Research-Beyond-Academia

This webinar serves as an interest meeting for a potential new Research Interest Group (RIG): Research Beyond Traditional Academia. This RIG will address the growing demand for research conducted outside traditional academic settings—a domain often overlooked in academic discourse and career preparation. Doctoral programs primarily train students for tenure-track positions, frequently excluding alternative research careers from the conversation. In response, this RIG seeks to open up dialogue around research opportunities beyond four-year institutions. It aims to support education researchers at all career stages in exploring diverse professional pathways, while also fostering connections between external organizations and the NARST community. As interest in non-traditional research environments continues to rise, this RIG is committed to building networks that increase visibility, promote collaboration, and expand career possibilities for education researchers.

Speaker: Ti'Era Worsley, Northern Virginia Community College

Science and Engineering Education as a Foundational Focus for High Quality Teaching and Learning in Preschool and the Elementary Grades: Past, Present, and Future Directions

Monday, July 14 2025
4-5 pm EDT / 3-4 PM CDT

Registration Link: https://members.narst.org/event/Science-Engineering_Education

The world should be a place of wonderment and satisfaction for young students as they explore, investigate, discover, and solve problems that are meaningful to them. Despite their natural curiosity and goal-directed motivation to make sense of their world as budding scientists and engineers, there is still too little research, and educational support and practices leveraging the power of science and engineering as a foundational focus for preschool and elementary school teaching and learning. I will review the long-term, considerable national efforts to make science and engineering a greater focus of preschool and the elementary grades and the research evidence on how science and engineering can improve classroom interactions between students and teachers and support learning across multiple domains of development. Future directions will focus on efforts to align both instruction and assessment from preschool into the elementary grades including the work of the recently funded Elementary Science R & D Center, Center for Advancing Elementary Science through Assessment, Research, and Technology (CAESART).

Speakers: 
Daryl B. Greenfield, PhD., Center for Advancing Elementary Science through Assessment, Research, and Technology
Megan Silander, Education Development Center, Center for Advancing Elementary Science through Assessment, Research, and Technology

Graduate Student Committee - Career Steps Webinar Series #1

Friday, July 25 2025
2-3 pm EDT / 1-2 PM CDT

Registration Link: https://members.narst.org/event/Career-Steps-Series1

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.

Speaker: 
Warren Vineyard, Skagit Valley College

Seeking funding for STEM centering LGBTQ+ Work

Monday, July 28 2025
12-1 pm EDT / 11am - 12 PM CDT

Registration Link: https://members.narst.org/event/STEM-Centering-LGBTQ-Work

This panel discussion will focus on informing and supporting members in pursing funding through the QTPIE organization

Speakers: 
Colby Tofel-Grehl, Teachers College Columbia
Sara Porter, Teachers College Columbia