Cognitive and Learning Sciences News

Chadde Presents at Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education

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Terry Sharik (SFRES) presented the keynote address titled, “Undergraduate Enrollment in U.S. Natural Resource Academic Programs: Trends, Drivers and Implications for the Future of the Profession,” at the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education annual conference Friday and Saturday in Sault Ste. Marie. Joan Chadde (Center for Science and Environmental Outreach) and a Houghton High School science teacher presented, “Designing a Sustainable Future.” Jean Dunstan, Deidre Erbisch and Michael Hainault, Stanton Township School teachers, presented, “All About Birds: How to Start A Bird Program for Kids.” Marcy Erickson (CSEO) and Nathan Miller, Keweenaw Land Trust, received registration stipends to attend their first MAEOE conference.

From Tech Today.

MAEOE Conference 2015

Designing a Sustainable Future
Presenter: Joan Chadde & Lauri Davis- Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, Western UP Center for
Science, Math, & Environmental Education, and Michigan Technical University.
Audience: All Location: Lake Huron Room
The session will facilitate teachers’ ability to engage Gr. 4-12 students in learning about sustainability and how to integrate this topic into their science, math, technology, or engineering curriculum. Participants will explore building and site design, renewable energy sources, vehicle design (mechanical engineering), efficient transportation systems (civil engineering), product life cycles and sustainable forestry initiative, food systems, and more. Attendees will receive lessons and resources.

Joan Chadde- Michigan Tech University
Joan is the director of the Center for Science & Environmental Outreach at Michigan Tech University and has more than 30 years of experience in K-12 science and environmental education.

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Community Outdoor Nature Programs for Families

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Nara Nature Center
Nara Nature Center

Community Outdoor Nature Programs for Families are free and open to the public. Below are the upcoming sessions.

  • 7:30 -11:00 a.m. Saturday—Trapping and observations of birds and small mammals, with Jesse Knowlton and Dan Haskell (SFRES). Find out what lives at the Marsin Nature Area. The Keweenaw Land Trust is looking for citizen scientists (no experience necessary) to help document observations of birds, small mammals, and other wildlife on the property. Guided hikes will leave the Retreat at 8 a.m., rain or shine.
  • 6-7:30 p.m., Monday—Making Apple Cider (bring your own apples and jugs to take home) with Chris Hohnholt (SFRES), at Nara Nature Center.

What to Bring: Dress for the weather and wear good walking shoes.

This program is funded by the Michigan Association of Environmental Professionals and coordinated by the Western U.P. Center for Science, Math and Environmental Education and the Michigan Tech Center for Science and Environmental Outreach. For more information, call 7-3341.

From Tech Today.

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Three Inducted into Academy of Educators 2015

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The Academy of Educators induction ceremony was held on Saturday, October 3, 2015. This year two alumni educators and one honorary member were recognized as those who brought distinction to themselves, Michigan Technological University and the Teacher Education program, through their participation, commitment, outstanding leadership, and/or public service in the field of education.

Awards were presented by Bruce Seely, Dean, College of Sciences and Arts, Susan Amato-Henderson, Chair, Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences, and Shari Stockero, Director of Teacher Education, Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences.

The 2015 inductees are:

Dennis P. Harbour
Master’s in School Administration, ‘77
Bachelor of Science, Business Education, ‘74
Superintendent of Schools (retired)
Copper Country Intermediate School District

Darrell R. Hendrickson
Bachelor of Science, Forestry, ‘77
Secondary Teacher Certification, ‘01
7th Grade Teacher
Washington Middle School
Public Schools of Calumet-Laurium-Keweenaw

Charles G. Schepke
Master of Science, Applied Science Education, ‘05
Bachelor of Arts, Biology, ‘87
Secondary Teaching Certification, ‘94
5th – 8th Grade Teacher
Roscommon Middle/High School

Portraits and brief vitae of these distinguished academy members will be prominently displayed in the Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences to serve as inspirational role models for Michigan Tech students.

Academy of Educators - 2015 Inductees
Academy of Educators – 2015 Inductees
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Amber Kemppainen Chosen for National Academy Symposium

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Amber J. Kemppainen
Amber J. Kemppainen

Amber Kemppainen, a senior lecturer in engineering fundamentals, has been chosen as one of 70 young engineering educators across the nation to participate in the National Academy of Engineering’s Frontiers of Engineering Education Symposium in Irvine, Cal., Oct. 25-28.

At the symposium, faculty members who are developing and implementing innovative educational approaches in a variety of engineering disciplines, will come together to share ideas and learn from research and best practices.

Attendees were nominated by NAE members or deans and chosen from a highly competitive pool of applicants.

Kempainnen has been instrumental in developing Tech’s IDEAS project, including three curriculum modules—biomechanics, wind energy and aquaculture—for first-year engineering students and a First-Year Engineering Learning Center.

From Tech Today, by Jenn Donovan.

Kempainnen is also a PhD student in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors, Cognitive and Learning Sciences. Her advisor is Susan Amato-Henderson.

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Community Outdoor Nature Program Tonight

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“Discover How Insects Prepare for Winter”, 6 -7:30 p.m. tonight, September 28, 2015, at Nara Nature Center, with Jim Bess. Observe preserved insects and the tools of the entomologist then take a hike to find some insects.

What to Bring:  Dress for the weather. Wear good walking shoes. Ring rubber boots (optional).

This program is free and open to the public. Funding provided by the Michigan Association of Environmental Professionals and coordinated by the Western U.P. Center for Science, Math & Environmental Education and the Michigan Tech Center for Science & Environmental Outreach. For more information contact the Center by calling: 7-3341

From Tech Today.

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Ellis Publishes on Social Interactions of Beginning Teachers

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STEM Teaching VideoJoshua A. Ellis, Assistant Professor of STEM Education, has published “Investigating the social interactions of beginning teachers using a video annotation tool” in Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education this month. The article can be read in its entirety online. Dr. Ellis will be discussing this study in the Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors forum on November 9, 2015, at 2:00 pm.

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Community Outdoor Nature Programs

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Outdoor ScienceThe Michigan Tech Center for Science & Environmental Outreach is coordinating a monthly outdoor program for families and children. Two programs focused on nature exploration are planned each month through December—Monday evenings and Saturday afternoons. There is no need to register and no cost to attend; all are welcome.

Attendees can expect a variety of presenters who will lead each program focused on a different topic. Events are designed to engage parents and children in nature outdoors in a various locations. Information on the events are as follows:

  • Sept. 26, 2 p.m. at Brown Nature Sanctuary—Collecting and identifying of aquatic insects at Lake Perrault and Nature Hike with Joan Chadde, water resource specialist
  • Sept. 28, 6 p.m. at Nara Nature Center—”How do insects prepare for winter?” with Jim Bess, entomologist
  • Oct. 10, 7:30-11 a.m. at Marsin Nature Center—Trappings and observations of birds and small mammals with Jesse Knowlton and Dan Haskell (SFRES)
  • Oct. 12, 6 p.m. at Nara Nature Center—Apple cider making (bring your own apples and jugs) with Chris Hohnholt (SFRES)
  • Nov. 7, 2 p.m. at Maasto-Hiito Chalet—Leaf and needle ID: “Do you know what’s growing in your backyard?” with Denise Landsberg, outdoor science educator
  • Nov. 16, 6 p.m. at Nara Nature Center—Sensory night hike; discover your senses coming alive at night, with Marcy Erickson, outdoor science educator
  • Dec. 7, 6 p.m. at Nara Nature Center—Luminary night walk at the Nara Boardwalks with Marcy Erikson, outdoor science educator
  • Dec. 12, 2 p.m. at Nara Nature Center—”Finding your way: Compasses and treasure hunts” with Denise Landsberg, outdoor science educator

As with any outdoor event—dress accordingly for the weather. For more information call 7-3341 or visit wupcenter.mtu.edu.

From Tech Today.

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Dare Publishes on Physics Education Research

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Emily Dare
Emily Dare

Emily Dare, Assistant Professor of STEM Education in Cognitive and Learning Sciences, has an article in press cited as:

Dare, E. A., & Roehrig, G. H. (in press). “If I had to do it, then I would”: Understanding Early Middle School Students’ Perceptions of Physics and Physics-Related Careers by Gender. Physical Review Special Topics – Physics Education Research.

Physical Review Special Topics – Physics Education Research (PRST-PER) is a peer-reviewed online open-access journal sponsored by the American Physical Society (APS), the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and the APS Forum on Education.

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