Tennessee STEM Education Center (TSEC)’s Post

Recently, Kimberly Widerski, Larkin’s CTE Education Pathways teacher and members of the Elgin Partnership for Early Learning invited five high school students to participate in the “Night at the Museum,” STEM professional development event at DuPage Children’s Museum, sponsored by YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. These students, four seniors and one junior, are considering a career in education and were able to gain hands-on experience in learning through play alongside current educators. #WeAreU46

The EO from current President banning DEI initiatives was so vague, arbitrary, and capricious, institutions don't know what counts as an initiative and what doesn't. I understand MSU's reluctance here given the large amount of federal funding they get as a public institution, but this cannot be the line. This is how you create false histories and ignore reality. Lunar (Chinese) New Year is a celebration of Asian and Chinese culture. Black History Month, which begins tomorrow, is a celebration and learning opportunity. If these are to be banned, what is next? Martin Luther King Jr. Day? Juneteenth? Women's History Month? Can colleges still have an international student's day? Or is that too far? Does the order mean we can only celebrate holidays that explicitly celebrate white males? (Update: the pentagon has banned these celebrations; link in comments) The order was intentionally vague to sow confusion and cause division, which it is doing. Instead of uniting the country, it seeks to divide. I encourage those institutions and those people at institutions to stand up against this. Support your colleagues, students, and friends who are being marginalized since January 20. This is not OK.

"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education." – Martin Luther King Jr. As we gather around the Thanksgiving table, there’s one topic that can spark meaningful conversations: the importance of education. For many families, college is a shared dream, a source of pride, and sometimes, a challenging decision. Whether it’s about your child’s aspirations, your own journey back to school, or the broader value of higher education, this is the perfect time to reflect on what college can mean for a family. Here’s why these conversations matter: 1. Education is a Legacy: Going to college isn’t just about individual success—it’s about creating opportunities for generations. Sharing stories about how education has shaped your life can inspire others in your family to dream big. 2. It’s a Chance to Plan and Support: For parents and students alike, navigating the college admissions process or deciding to return to school can feel overwhelming. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to discuss plans, offer advice, and show support for each other’s goals. 3. It’s About More Than the Degree: College isn’t just about earning potential (though that’s important!). It’s about building networks, gaining independence, and discovering new passions. These are benefits worth sharing with those you love. 4. Gratitude for Opportunities: If you’ve had the privilege of a college education, Thanksgiving is a moment to reflect on those who supported you along the way—teachers, mentors, family, or friends—and to consider how you can pay that forward. Bottom Line: Education is a family journey. As we give thanks, let’s celebrate the doors that education can open and the opportunities it creates for those we care about most. What role has education played in your family’s story? Share your thoughts and let’s inspire others to prioritize learning and growth. #Thanksgiving #HigherEducation #FamilyConversations #EducationMatters #Gratitude #CollegeDreams

As 2024 comes to a close, there’s still time to make an impact! Empowered Parents in Community End-of-Year Giving Campaign is happening now. Your investment will make a lasting impact in the following ways: *Remove barriers for Black parents to engage with EPiC and their communities through stipends, transportation access, food, and childcare.  *Trainings that support having race-based conversation that is productive, uncovers root cause of disparities and allows for authentic engagement and change. *The creation of culturally responsive environments for student support in the school with increased Black parent leadership. Please consider making an impact with EPiC. https://lnkd.in/evhrzNf9

Rubye Sullivan, PhD Sullivan’s insights in this short blog are a must-read for anyone passionate about K-12 education. She emphasizes the stark academic disparities in Atlanta and highlights a bold move by Dallas ISD to automatically enroll qualified students in advanced courses—an approach that dramatically increased AP participation for Black and Latino students. This resonates deeply with me given that I have a recent high school graduate and now a college freshman. The reality is that rigorous courses are a gateway to higher education, and we must rethink access to ensure every student can thrive. At Education Resource Strategies, we are working to redesign high schools in large urban school districts to ensure that students have access and opportunity to the coursework they need to succeed. #EducationMatters #HigherEdPathways #RedesignHighSchools #StudentSuccess #ChangetheOdds

Thrilled to share Dr. Donna Y. Ford and Dr. Erik M. Hines' publication, “We Love STEM Too: Fostering STEM Engagement Among Gifted and Talented Black Students.” This important work addresses the underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic students in GATE, college, and STEM, highlighting the power of role models and representation. The power of role models and representation cannot be overstated.

Anthony Miguel, A.B. '25, is dedicating to bridging STEM and Indigenous Community advocacy. Anthony's unique journey weaves through California and Santa Maria Tataltepec, Oaxaca, where he identified healthcare disparities and committed to using science and technology as tools for social change. With a double concentration in computer science and molecular & cellular biology, Anthony aspires to become a physician who can innovate health solutions for underserved communities. As co-president of Natives at Harvard College, a Harvard University Native American Program intern, and a fellow in the SEAS Office for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Anthony actively champions Indigenous visibility and representation in higher education and STEM fields. “Indigenous Peoples have been producing knowledge since the beginning,” he said. “The methodology might be different from that in institutions, but our knowledge persists, inclusively worldwide.”

Crouse Health and the American Heart Association are presenting a STEM program to the Syracuse City School District, providing the schools with 140 interactive, anatomical heart models for use throughout the district. The heart models come with pre-made lesson plans and activities that help teach students about the different parts of the heart, how they work and why keeping them healthy is important. “Inspiring the next generation of innovators now can help us build a healthier community in the future,” says Crouse CEO Seth Kronenberg, MD, adding that STEM programs help young students develop critical thinking skills and self-confidence while working successfully in teams. Crouse is the proud sponsor of the 2025 Syracuse Heart Walk...join us as we take steps to save lives: https://lnkd.in/g_mnuRin

Raising the next generation of civic leaders! Are you funder or a school board member or a a middle or high school principal or teacher in California, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, or Massachusetts? We have seen exceptional work from Generation Citizen, which is working in all these states. This piece says it all: https://lnkd.in/e5pyV6aF

Happy New Year, everybody! 👋 Do you routinely take stock of where you are today and where you were a year ago? The past year has been quite a ride for me. At the start of 2024, I had a brief stint as a dog walker to make some spending money (grad student life!), and I ended up catching COVID. Soon after, my research project launched, and several other exciting opportunities came my way. Before 2025 really kicks in, I want to take some time to recognize some highlights from my journey. Pivoting from over a decade of school-based work has not been easy, but I’m finding my footing in this new path. Here are a few accomplishments from 2024 that I am particularly proud to share: - Completed my coursework and became a PhD candidate at New York University. 🥳 - Presented preliminary findings from my research project with Lydia Manchery at the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) Annual Convention and as a Jackson Scholar. 📚 - Joined two professors’ research projects, one of which focuses on teacher diversity and another on school integration. 🧐 - Contributed to research for a book project focusing on Asian Americans and cross-racial solidarity at The Asian American Education Project. ✍️ - Returned to Institute for Recruitment of Teachers as a Summer Workshop faculty member and taught mini-courses on research methods and teachers of color. 🧑🏫 As a PhD candidate, I will begin to work on my dissertation project this year, and it will likely focus on the lives and experiences of teachers of color in navigating multiracial elementary schools in the New York City metro area. Do you know of any great teachers of color or elementary schools who might fit this description and would be open to talk to me? Maybe even those who are engaged in racial equity or social justice work? Please let me know! 🙏 Lastly, since starting my doctoral program, I have come across some brilliant research and frameworks that have shaped my own thinking and that practitioners might find useful. I can’t wait to share a bit of them with you all! I plan to post more over the next few weeks. Please stay tuned!