March issue of Physics World has a focus on education, interesting reading

http://blog.physicsworld.com/2014/03/10/new-ways-to-teach-and-learn-physics/

HatTip: Jane Coyle

 From Joann Cattlin: 

draft program, invite flyer 

The First Year in Maths Project (FYiMaths)  and the Institute of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education (IISME) are holding a national forum on 13^th and 14^th February 2014, at the University of Sydney - Assumed knowledge in maths: Its broad impact on tertiary STEM programs. The forum will be considering the impact of students’ entry level knowledge in maths on all STEM programs. We would like to invite you as network leaders to participate in the forum and encourage your members to attend.  There are a number of ways you can be involved in the forum, by facilitating a session, presenting or showcasing new teaching or learning support initiatives in your discipline. We are open to your suggestions.

I have attached the draft program and invitation which you are welcome to circulate.  You may also like to highlight to your members that we are calling for presenters for a session on Day 1.  There will be a presentation session on current initiatives in maths and science teaching responding to the diverse background of students. These will be sharp 8 minute presentations followed by a brief Q&A. We are asking people to submit an abstract no more than 500 words outlining the initiative by 10 January 2014. Those submitting abstracts may be invited to submit full papers for publication in a special issue of IJISME. Please send your abstract to: joann.cattlin@unimelb.edu.au  

If you have any questions or would like more information about any of the above, please feel free to contact me.

Regards

Joann Cattlin

Project Manager (Part time)

First Year in Maths Project (FYiMaths)

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

University of Melbourne

Parkville VIC 3010

Ph: 03 9035 8694

http://fyimaths.org.au

SaMnet Scholars

Looking for a keynote for your next workshop, colloquium or seminar?

Please consider one of our fabulous SaMnet Scholars -  their 'tried and tested', innovative, leading edge teaching practices are highlighted in the attached document.

Call for papers- STEM 2014

CALL FOR PAPERS

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STEM 2014 Conference | July 12-15

The University of British Columbia | Vancouver, Canada

stem2014.ubc.ca

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STEM Education and Our Planet:

Making Connections Across Contexts

The International Conference of STEM in Education is an opportunity for educators and researchers from schools, universities, colleges, businesses, industries and other private and public agencies to share and discuss their innovative practices and research initiatives that may advance STEM education.

The conference will create opportunities for sharing:

·      information and knowledge through keynote addresses from world leaders in STEM education, papers, poster presentations, panels, workshops, symposia, and innovative showcases; 

·      effective STEM pedagogical practices and strategies in and across a variety of education settings;

·      the most contemporary STEM research initiatives and their outcomes;

·      professional development approaches for STEM educators in a range of educational contexts; 

·      experiences and networking between participants from across the globe.

Join us in the summer of 2014 at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in beautiful Vancouver, Canada.  Submit your proposal to present at the STEM 2014 Conference at http://stem2014.ubc.ca.  Call for Papers closes December 9, 2013.

  

We invite proposals from educators, academics, education officers, industry partners, graduate and undergraduate students for papers, poster presentations, panels, workshops, symposia, and innovative showcases.  Proposals will be peer reviewed, and are invited in any area related to the overall focus of the conference, including: 

1. Innovation in STEM Research
2. Innovative Resources for STEM Education
3. Transformation in Educational Practices through STEM
4. Sustainability Education and STEM
5. Interdisciplinary Approaches to Popular Science Education
6. Life-long learning in STEM
7. STEM learning in and across formal and informal contexts
8. Curriculum Theory and Development in STEM
9. Educational Philosophy and Theory about STEM
10. Educational Policy, Leadership and Management for STEM
11. Rural Education and STEM
12. Special Education and STEM
13. Educational Technology in STEM
14. Teacher Education and Professional Development in STEM
15. Design and Technology Education
16. Science Fiction and STEM Education
17. Disasters and STEM Education
18. Other related STEM topics will also be considered

Presenters whose papers are accepted for the Conference will be invited to submit their full papers to be published in the peer-reviewed online STEM 2014 Conference Proceedings. Author guidelines are available on the conference website:

http://stem2014.ubc.ca

The Australian Council for Education Research and the L.H. Martin institute are presenting forums on student engagement around Australia:

The fora focus on:

• Effective institutional practices for engaging students

• Successful academic and support partnerships

• Engaging 21st Century students

• Using technology in the classroom and beyond

• Building effective campus-wide engagement practices

Interestingly, they refer to 

a forthcoming research briefing that reviews practice in Australia

I hadn't heard of the  L.H. Martin institute: they seem to be a tertiary education think-tank:

Our mission
We aim to improve management and leadership in the tertiary education sector by providing an integrated set of education, training and bespoke programs which are underpinned by research, and by holding forums and events which cater specifically to the sector.

PhET simulations

The university of Colorado at Boulder has a well-regarded collection of simulations for use in High School and University.

 Do you thinkg the MRI  is engaging enough for the aspiring Doctors who do Physics for Life Sciences in first year? Let me know at peg.convenor@gmail.com.

Adapting to a Changing World---Challenges and Opportunities in Undergraduate Physics Education
is available free from The National Academies Press at
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18312

Quote from NSF website:

Adapting to a Changing World was commissioned by the National Science Foundation to examine the present status of undergraduate physics education, including the state of physics education research, and, most importantly, to develop a series of recommendations for improving physics education that draws from the knowledge we have about learning and effective teaching. Our committee has endeavored to do so, with great interest and more than a little passion.

The Committee on Undergraduate Physics Education Research and Implementation was established in 2010 by the Board on Physics and Astronomy of the National Research Council. This report summarizes the committee's response to its statement of task, which requires the committee to produce a report that identifies the goals and challenges facing undergraduate physics education and identifies how best practices for undergraduate physics education can be implemented on a widespread and sustained basis, assess the status of physics education research (PER) and discuss how PER can assist in accomplishing the goal of improving undergraduate physics education best practices and education policy.

Thanks to John Holdsworth for passing this on.