Educators to Benefit from 6th Annual EXSEED Conference

Over 100 educators from around the world will be attending the 6th annual EXSEED (Excellence in STEM Experiential Education) conference at Loma Linda University July 13 through 17. The week-long event with over 30 unique workshops and over 50 informational sessions, is geared to inspire K-12 educators in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The event will kick off on Monday, July 13, with a keynote presentation by Maria Klawe, a computer scientist with a Ph.D. in mathematics and the first female president of Harvey Mudd College. Marilyn Eggers, PhD, co-executive director of EXSEED said, “We are absolutely thrilled and honored that Dr. Klawe will open this year’s EXSEED Conference. She is an inspiration and is herself the product of STEM excellence.” Maria Klawe has been heavily involved with increasing the representation of women in STEM fields. In 1991, together with Nancy Leveson, she founded CRA-W, The Computing Research Association’s Committee on the Status of Women in Computing Research and served as its first co-chair. She was previously dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton University. This year’s EXSEED Conference is offering a rich variety of workshops. On Tuesday and Wednesday, participants can learn the advantages of introducing 3D printing in their classrooms, and learn how to catch rainbows with pizza boxes. Other workshops will help educator participants prepare their K-12 students for the interconnected, digital world. Topics such as social media, the use of iPads, iPods, tablets and smart phones will be discussed. Ideas and challenges for integrating video and multimedia in the classroom will also be presented. School TV broadcasting and photography are other areas of instruction, and a one-day intensive workshop on the practical applications in geospacial technology will be offered. For the mathematics classroom, workshops studying sound and light, physics and medicine, high school robotics and Lego robotics will be offered. Additionally, seminars for science enthusiasts will focus on topics such as outer space, sea turtle research being conducted in Honduras, and the world’s venomous animals and their venoms. There will also be opportunities for participants to learn grant-writing skills as well as learn tips and methods for identifying and winning grants for schools and special projects. EXSEED is the brainchild of Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, president, Loma Linda University Health, as a way for Loma Linda University and Adventist higher education to partner with K-12 science educators. It has evolved to include technology, engineering and math. “EXSEED is part of our educational strategy to develop both minds and characters that are essential for producing quality health professionals,” Hart said. “By working together, we strive to support and empower educators in teaching the STEM disciplines within a mission-focused learning context.” EXSEED is an innovative and collaborative program designed to enhance integrated science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in Adventist K-12 schools. It is a partnership between K-12 educators, K-12 schools and organizations, and higher education partners, including Andrews University, Kettering College, La Sierra University, Loma Linda University, Pacific Union College, Walla Walla University, and the Pacific Union Conference, with Loma Linda University acting as the facilitator. The goal of EXSEED is to collaboratively support and empower K-12 educators in teaching the STEM disciplines within a Mission-Focused Learning (MFL) context. MFL is an environment that: • Fosters the highest commitment to analytical and critical thinking • Advocates the highest ethical and professional standards of practices • Values the creation of new knowledge, and the faithful transmission of best practices within professional and scientific disciplines • Provides a learner-centered educational environment that facilitates the absorption of knowledge and perfection of skills while blending evidence-based decision-making with transformative learning events ("teachable moments") • Develops a culture of service, while encouraging the pursuit of wisdom through the example of Jesus Christ who lived to bring hope, healing, and happiness to mankind Adventist educators from across the North American Division (U.S. and Canada) and teachers from San Bernardino City Unified School District and Rialto and Redlands Unified School Districts will be attending EXSEED. Other educators are travelling from Jamaica and Mexico to attend the conference.