2021 Massachusetts PKAL Network Winter Meeting

STEM Ed in the Time of COVID19

January 7, 2021
A Virtual Meeting Hosted by Worcester Polytechnic Institute
100 Institute Road
Worcester, MA 01609-2280

EVENT OVERVIEW

COVID19 has altered much about our world and higher education. Classrooms and labs have largely been replaced with computer screens. Disparities in health and wellness, the digital divide, the resources available to students and educators alike are starkly in evidence. How do we teach in this COVID19 era? What do we teach? This virtual meeting will explore aspects of STEM education in the new world – online and hybrid delivery, student wellness and engagement, COVID as subject matter, and more. The day will begin with a student panel, sharing their experiences and hopes for their continuing education, and will also include a panel of higher education professionals sharing their thoughts about the student pipeline into higher ed and careers after degrees.

 

Times (in EST) 2021 Massachusetts PKAL Network Winter Meeting Schedule at a Glance

2021 Massachusetts PKAL Network Meeting Program Book

 Zoom Room Help
Times Sessions/Workshops
8:45 – 9:00 AM WELCOME:

Opening – Kris Wobbe, Director of the WPI Center for Project-Based Learning.

Welcome – Laurie Leshin, President of WPI.

 Zoom Room 1
9:00 – 9:55 AM STUDENT PANEL-We will hear from students from several Massachusetts colleges and universities who will speak about the impact of COVID19 on their education and expectations.  Panelists include Olivia Knuth, Becker College; Derek Raffa-Jamieson, Bridgewater State University, Sharon Ridley, Quinsigamond Community College, Marva Tariq, Smith College will share their experiences in higher ed through the time of COVID.  Moderated by Kris Wobbe Zoom Room 1
10:00 – 11:00 AM CONCURRENT SESSION THEMES:
 
A. Multidisciplinary Approaches in COVID-19
Moderator- Marja Bakermans

  1. A 360 Degree View of COVID-19: Multidisciplinary approach to teaching the science of the pandemic (13985) Simmons University
  2. Developing Animated Science Videos during the COVID-19 Pandemic (14057) Brown University
  3. Effective Implementation of Informal STEM Learning Practices in the Virtual Classroom (14065) University of the Virgin Islands
  4.  Engaging Students Remotely during Pandemic: Virtual Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) at Worcester State University (14098) Worcester State University

B. Redesigning and Rethinking
Moderator- Allison Little

  1. Academic Integrity in Times of COVID: Lessons Learned from the Pandemic (13981) Jacksonville University 
  2. Competing with TikTok: Redesigning Learning for the Short-Attention-Span Era (14092) Brown University School of Public Health
  3. Transition to online spaces: strategies, tools, and practices (14088) MassBay Community College
  4. Providing Resources for New Faculty in COVID Times and Beyond (14097) Williams College

C. Approaches to Mathematics 1
Moderator- Kimberly Farah

  1. Removing Barriers to Participating in Upper-Level Mathematics (14005) Curry College
  2. A mastery-based, small-group, hybrid, on-line vector calculus course (14013) Whitman College
  3. Statistics in the time of COVID-19 19 (14047) Salem State University
  

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Zoom Room 3
10:00 – 11:00 AM WORKSHOPS:

  1. Supporting Diverse Students in Overcoming Barriers to Research and Social Injustice Through Intentional Programming of a Virtual Professional Development Program (14069) Brown University
  2. Facilitating “Hands-On” Learning in a Browser: Project-Based Learning in Online and Remote STEM Courses (14086) Colorado School of Mines
  3. How COVID-19 made me a more effective teacher: Leveraging resources for student centered learning in online/hybrid environments (14085) Brown University
  

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Zoom Room 5


Zoom Room 6
11:00 – 11:15 AM BREAK
11:15  – 12:15 CONCURRENT SESSION THEMES:

A. Service and Team Based Learning and other High Impact Practices
Moderator- Kathy Chen

  1.  STEM Service Learning During a Pandemic (13983) Kent State University
  2.  Project and Team Based Learning in the Time of COVID (14051) WPI
  3.  Service Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Community 3D Printing Initiatives (14087) Texas Tech

B. Approaches to Laboratory Instruction
Moderator- Lou Roberts

  1. Learning Lab Skills Online: Lessons from Transitioning to Remote Learning for a Biotechnology Lab (14062) NC State University
  2. Adapting Biology Labs to Hybrid and Online Formats During the Covid-19 Pandemic (14079) Texas Woman’s University

C. Fully and Partially Flipped Classrooms
Moderator- Toni-Marie Achilli

  1. Flipped Learning: Higher Ed’s All-Purpose Swiss Army Knife for Teaching in an Uncertain Pandemic (13988) Bay Path University
  2. Recorded Lecture Capture Videos to Promote Beyond the Classroom Learning in Upper Level Chemistry Courses during COVID-19 (14029) Salem State University
  3. The Use of Interactive Video Assignments to Engage Students in Online and Hybrid Chemistry Classes (14083) North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University 
  4. Synchronous and Asynchronous delivery of a moderately-sized Human Anatomy class (14090) Biola University
  

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11:15  – 12:15 WORKSHOPS:

  1. College Women in STEM: Building Community and Sense of Belonging in a Covid-19 World (14044) Le Moyne College
  2. Reliable Assessing Online: Going Beyond the Grading Scale (14075) Minerva Schools at Keck Graduate Institute 
  3. STEM Starter Academy: A Commitment to Student Outcomes through Case Management(14107) MA Department of Higher Education
  

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Zoom Room 6
12:15 – 1:15 PM LUNCH- 
12:20 – Engaging Students Remotely during Pandemic: Virtual Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) at Worcester State University (14098) Worcester State University Zoom Room 2
12:20 – 1:10 PM Workshop- Facilitating “Hands-On” Learning in a Browser: Project-Based Learning in Online and Remote STEM Courses (14086) Colorado School of Mines Zoom Room 5
12:15 – 1:15 PM LISTENING SESSION WITH ADJUNCT/NON-TENURE TRACK FACULTY
Facilitator: C. Ellen Washington, Faculty, Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Closed Session – Adjunct/Non-Tenure Track Faculty ONLY
 NTTF Session Here
1:15 – 2:15 PM CONCURRENT SESSION THEMES:

A. Professional Panel

We will hear from higher ed professionals who can speak to changes in the student trajectory into, through and beyond higher ed.  Panelists include Cristina Jones, Director of the Clinical Mental Health and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Program, Thomas University; Chris Fraser, Executive Director, Wellness Center, Bridgewater State University; Julie Kazarian, Dean of Students/Chief Student Affairs Officer, Worcester State University.

Andy Palumbo, Assistant VP for Enrollment Management & Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid, WPI; Barbara Zerillo, Director of Career Education Services, Simmons College.  Moderated by Kris Wobbe, Director CPBL, WPI.

B. Approaches to Chemistry
Moderator- Etta Gravely

  1. What Did They Really Think? Soliciting Feedback on Online Labs in a Large Chemistry Course (14100) Simmons University
  2. Incorporating Student-Centered Learning into Online Labs (14049) Scripps College
  3. The University of North Carolina (UNC) System Chemistry Pathways Course Content Collections: Overview of Materials and Implementation (14055 & 14056) North Carolina A&T State University and University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  4. Organic Chemistry During COVID-19: Prioritizing Student Engagement for Remote Learning (14077) Smith College

C. Approaches to Biology
Moderator- Kimberly LeChasseur

  1. Creating a custom-built laboratory home kit for a hands-on lab experience during fluctuating modalities (14007) Westfield State University
  2. Online research projects: Using datasets to teach experimental design, data analysis and science communication (14030) Salem State University
  3. Development of a Remote Inquiry-Based Undergraduate Laboratory for Sensory Physiology (14093) Mount St. Joseph University
  4. Molecular Genetics at home: Take-home lab kits using miniPCR instruments (14058) Framingham State University
  

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1:15 – 2:15 PM WORKSHOPS:

  1. An Anti-Racist Case for Alternative Grading (14071) Bridgewater State University
  2. Dynamic Computational Modeling and Simulation: Teach systems biology and experimental design on-campus and/or remotely (14080) University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  

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Zoom Room 5
2:15 – 2:30 PM BREAK
2:30 – 3:30 PM CONCURRENT SESSIONS THEMES

 A. General Results from Campus Studies
Moderator- Verleen McSween

  1. Impact of Faculty’s Ability to Successfully Navigate Technological Platforms for Remote Instruction (14082) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  2. STEM teaching and learning transition during pandemic at Inter American University, Puerto Rico (14019) Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Metropolitan Campus
  3. Transitioning from in Person to Online Learning in STEM — Impacts of Learning, Study Strategies, and Community (14008) Duke University
  4. Have NSF S-STEM Scholarships Changed SEISMIC Scholars’ Work Circumstances? (14045) Bridgewater State University

B. Approaches to Mathematics 2
Moderator- Tom Kling

  1. Math Letter Writing Pen Pal Experience as a Practicum Alternative (14046) Tennessee Tech University
  2. The UNC System Math Pathways Course Content Collections: Supporting Students and Faculty in Moving to Distance Learning (14052) North Carolina A&T State University
  3. The University of North Carolina System Math Pathways Course Content Collections: Overview of Materials and Implementation (14053) North Carolina School of Science and Math

C. Undergraduate Research 1
Moderator- Karen Coghlan

  1. Successful online implementation of a traditionally in-person, residential, summer research program (14078) Purchase College, SUNY
  2. Utilizing Contract Grading and Online Resources to Enhance Undergraduate Research Experiences in Bioinformatics Asynchronously (14054) Westfield State University
  3. Considerations in curriculum design to build a more connected online CURE (14091) University of Texas at El Paso
  4. From Face-to-Face to Virtual Space: Development and Evaluation of Online CUREs in STEM (14073) The University of Texas at El Paso

 

  

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2:30 – 3:30 PM WORKSHOPS:

  1. Augment Motivation and Interaction to Help our Students Succeed in Remote Learning (13986) Penn State University
  2. A Genetics Escape Room Final: Developing Team Skills and Critical Thinking in STEM in Times of COVID-19 (13980) D’Youville College
  

Zoom Room 4

Zoom Room 5
3:30 – 3:45 PM BREAK
3:45 – 4:45 PM CONCURRENT SESSIONS THEMES

A. Diversity and Community
Moderator- Courtney Kurlanska

  1.  Age-Friendly Universities: Confronting Ageism and Integrating Intergenerational Learning in the Classroom (14042) Lasell University
  2. Impact of Covid-19 on Women of Color Faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (14033) North Carolina A&T State University
  3. Building community and engaging students in an online science course (14096) Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School

B. Approaches to Chemistry 2
Moderator- Kevin Shea

  1. Strategies for Student Engagement and Insights Gained from Online Chemistry Classes (14076) Salem State University
  2. Hybrid Delivery and Engaging Stressed Students in Nursing Chemistry: Lessons learned and strategies to improve (14064) University of Saint Joseph
  3. A Coordinated General Chemistry Course in the Time of Covid19 (14074) Xavier University of Louisiana
  4. Challenges and Joys of coordinating the transitioning of face-to-face chemical laboratories to on-line (14094) North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

C. Undergraduate Research 2
Moderator- Princy Mennella

  1.  How a pandemic enhanced an interdisciplinary research experience for undergraduates and faculty (14081) Worcester State University
  2. Course Based Undergraduate Research Experience: The Biochemical Properties of SARS-CoV-2 (14061) California State University – Monterey Bay (CSUMB) – Seaside, CA
  3. The Pandemic Pivot: Teaching a Nonmajors Science Course Through COVID-19 (14095) New York University
  4. Student constructed college reopening plans – a real world course assignment (14059) Framingham State University
  

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 3:45 – 4:45 PM WORKSHOPS:

  1. Playback Theatre for Community Building During Physical Distancing and Demonstrations (14089) Rochester Institute of Technology, Division of Diversity and Inclusion
  2. Engaging students with inquiry-based learning in online and hybrid classrooms (14072) Minerva Schools at Keck Graduate Institute
  3. How COVID-19 made me a more effective teacher: Leveraging resources for student centered learning in online/hybrid environments (14085) Brown University
  

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Zoom Room 5

 

Zoom Room 4

TOOLS TO SUPPORT PROCESSING TRAUMATIC EVENTS

Beyond the Stoplight has a wonderful guest post from Dr. Alyssa Hadley-Dunn, Associate Professor of Teacher Education at Michigan State University and founder of Teaching on the Days After: Dialogue & Resources for Educating Toward Justice.

This roundup of resources by Matt Davis from Edutopia includes approaches for supporting yourself, other individuals, classes, and schools. In addition to tools for supporting those experiencing trauma, there are also links to resources for understanding why it is important to recognize the effects on learning.

Staff reporter Evid Blad has written “Caring for Students in the Wake of a Traumatic News Event” for EdWeek. The guidance includes useful tips for those teaching in Winter Session and those who are not.

The Students at the Center Hub recommends a collection of resources by Building Public Understanding, compiled to help educators to support dialogue around contentious topics. The dialogue protocols can be particularly useful for structuring an invitation to listen – and can be used with adult learners and colleagues.