June 25, 2012
Event: Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teachers will share best practices and be honored at the Texas Regional Collaboratives for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching annual conference
When: June 27-29, with an exhibit hall showcase of STEM lessons, a reception and dinner Wednesday, June 27, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Renaissance Austin Hotel, 9721 Arboretum Blvd.
Background: National policymakers and education experts as well as corporate leaders consistently point to improved math, science and technology education as a key to remaining competitive in a global arena. The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education, which is the top-ranked education school in the country, is leading the effort with its nationally touted programs including UTeach, the Center for STEM Education and the Texas Regional Collaboratives (TRC).
The University of Texas at Austin’s Texas Regional Collaboratives has offered research-based, high-quality professional development to Texas science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) secondary teachers for 21 years.
At the annual conference, hundreds of TRC educators and mentors come together to share some of their best, most lively lessons and strategies for teaching STEM lessons. The lessons and methods focus on inquiry-based and student-directed learning as well as best practices for implementing technology in education. Exceptional STEM educators also are honored during the conference and have a chance to network with one another as well as with the TRC’s corporate, higher education, state, federal and community partners.
The highlight of the conference is the June 27 exhibit hall showcase of the most innovative STEM teaching techniques and a dinner after which awards are given to top educators, and the TRC’s partners are recognized. This year’s keynote speaker is Texas state Rep. Rob Eissler, chairman of the Public Education Committee.
Featured general session speakers during the three-day conference include Texas Education Agency science coordinator Irene Pickhardt, Baylor University and Williams College professor Edward B. Burger and Authentic Education president Dr. Grant Wiggins.
For more information, contact: Kay Randall, College of Education, at 512-232-3910 or visit http://thetrc.org/web/eighteenth.html.
