The use of socio-scientific issues as contexts for learning science, as well invoking cross-disciplinary connections, is supported in the literature as being both effective and educationally significant. STEM mandates and programs often lack this “Science-in-Context” vision. This talk aims to situate the teaching and learning of science from a sociocultural perspective of STEM, such that the need for learning it is apparent and the content being learned relevant, meaningful,  and useful.

SPEAKERS:
Dana Zeidler (University of South Florida: Tampa, FL)

Participants will be introduced to the ways you can use your local zoo as a living laboratory to teach STEM content to majors and nonmajors alike. During this interactive session, participants will explore the various ways science is used at the zoo and practice collecting behavioral data.

SPEAKERS:
Grace Fuller (Detroit Zoological Society: Royal Oak, MI)

This interactive workshop will demonstrate the pitfalls and barriers to cultural responsiveness. Participants will gain knowledge and applicable skills in cultural responsiveness that are small changes to what they are currently doing in their professional practice.

SPEAKERS:
Courtney Plotts (Council for At Risk Student Education and Professional Standards: Parrish, FL)