- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Largest NSF Grant Awarded to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Will Support Ongoing Undergraduate STEM Education Efforts

John Hill — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 13:05:40 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has been awarded a nearly $2 million grant from the (NSF) to enhance teaching and learning and to promote student success in undergraduate STEM education. This is the largest grant ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has ever received from the National Science Foundation.�� The $1,999,986 five-year grant from the NSF will be used to provide support for faculty and students in the Donaghey College of STEM with a specific focus on supporting students from historically underserved groups. The researchers will use the grant, “NSF IUSE Institutional and Community Transformation Level II: Upholding Active Learning Reform in STEM,” to grow the use of evidence-based teaching practices to increase student engagement and retention in undergraduate STEM education. “A strong STEM workforce is critical for our country,” said Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the Donaghey College of STEM. “To build and sustain a strong STEM workforce, we must educate students for next-generation careers. To properly educate these students, we must transform our education. I am beyond pleased to see that this funding will continue the excellent work of our faculty. We are grateful to the National Science Foundation and their support of this transformational project.” The interdisciplinary team led by Dr. Mark Baillie, assistant professor of chemistry, is a collaboration with faculty from the STEM Education Center (Dr. Michael Moore, director of undergraduate research and mentoring), the School of Education (Dr. Lundon Pinneo, assistant professor) and the Office of the Provost (Dr. David Montague, associate vice chancellor for student success). Ronia Kattoum, an advanced instructor of chemistry and Ph.D. student in applied sciences-chemistry, is working as the project’s graduate assistant. “Our main focus is to increase the number of underserved students who successfully complete STEM courses,” Pinneo said. “We want to identify current barriers for faculty and improve support systems so campus-wide we can close the equity gap.” Students from historically underserved populations, first-generation students, and Pell Grant recipients are likely to encounter barriers to their success in their lecture-based STEM courses. Baillie says that traditional teaching methods are often a barrier to students reaching their potential. “People’s journeys through education are very different,” Baillie said. “If you can create a classroom environment that gives everyone the opportunity to engage, then everyone will learn and progress.” To support faculty members as they learn about and adopt more student-centered and inclusive teaching strategies, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will utilize successful NSF-funded interventions including the expansion of the Mobile Institute on Scientific Teaching (MoSI) and the Learning Assistant Program in the Donaghey College of STEM. Currently, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is the only higher education institution in Arkansas with these two highly successful programs that focus on faculty and student success. The grant builds upon the previous success of these programs by allowing many more faculty and students within the Donaghey College of STEM to participate in these initiatives.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock teaching assistants and professors participate in the Mobile Institute on Scientific Teaching workshop. Photos by Ben Krain.

“��Vlog��ý Little Rock has a rich history in the STEM area, with innovative programming for faculty as well as major initiatives focused on student success,” Montague said. “This funding will certainly help promote the future of STEM education in Arkansas.” MoSI workshops focus on active learning and other evidence-based teaching practices. Research on teaching and learning shows that students are 1 ½ times more likely to pass classes in active learning classrooms than in traditional lectures. Prior to receiving this grant, about 20 percent of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty completed the weeklong workshop on their own time. The grant will reward future faculty to participate in the workshop by providing a $500 stipend for 75 STEM faculty members to complete the workshop over the next five years. Starting in the spring 2023 semester, faculty will be recruited to join the first cohort of participants. The grant also provides a $975 stipend for 605 students to participate in the Learning Assistant Program. The assistants will provide peer learning support for more than 9,000 of their classmates over the five years of the grant. The stipends will allow greater access for many students who previously couldn’t afford to volunteer for this leadership role. By the end of the project, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock plans to support approximately 250 learning assistants per year. Further opportunities will be provided for faculty who have successfully completed the MoSI workshop to improve their teaching skills. The researchers will form Communities of Practice – small groups of up to five faculty members who will meet bi-weekly to offer peer support and build out their expertise. Faculty who participate will each receive stipends of $1,000. The grant will also fund one graduate student and one postdoctoral researcher for five years, as well as a series of speakers that will focus on implementing student-centered practices. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock will also create a Community of Transformation annually for faculty members who have participated in the Communities of Practice. This group of 10 change agents will discuss and plan efforts to enact policy changes focusing on student success and closing the student equity gap. The grant also provides up to $5,000 a year for five years for faculty and administrators in the Donaghey College of STEM to implement ideas that emerge from the Community of Transformation. “We want to emphasize how the departments and programs are encouraging their own teachers,” Moore said. “This is a multi-prong approach by the whole university on how to support a successful culture of teaching. It speaks to the credibility of the support we have across the university and from our partners. This is a win for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.” Caption: ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professors, from left, Mark Baillie, Ronia Kattoum, Michael Moore, David Montague, and Lundon Pinneo are working on a National Science Foundation project to improve undergraduate education in the Donaghey College of STEM. Photo by Ben Krain.��

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Honors Safe Foods Co-Founder Carl Rosenbaum, Raises Record-Breaking Amount for STEM Student Scholarships

John Hill — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 17:20:47 +0000

A visionary entrepreneur and businessman who recognized the potential of a revolutionary new product developed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences was honored with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s 2021 Fribourgh Award. More than 250 people celebrated Carl Rosenbaum, co-founder of Safe Foods, as he received the award during an Oct. 21 reception at Chenal Country Club. The James H. Fribourgh Award honors individuals who have made considerable contributions to the state of Arkansas through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). It was a record-breaking night as ��Vlog��ý Little Rock raised more than $206,000 for student scholarships, which is the highest amount ever raised during a Fribourgh Award Ceremony. Proceeds will be used to create the Carl Rosenbaum Endowed Scholarship Fund that will help ��Vlog��ý Little Rock attract and retain high-achieving, full-time undergraduate students majoring in science and mathematics. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale declared Rosebaum as a shining example of someone who has dedicated his life to using science for good. “As a pioneer in the food safety industry, Carl Rosenbaum shows us the power of science to serve humanity, and he shows us what it means to choose our aspirations well,” Drale said. The event’s presenting sponsors include Jerry and Sherri Damerow, 2017 recipients of the Fribourgh Award, the Board of Safe Foods Corporation, and Arkansas Glass Container Corporation. Jason Curry, pastor at The Church at Rock Creek and founder of Finish Empty®, served as the emcee for the ceremony. Jerry Damerow, a close friend of Rosenbaum, said he had the good fortune to see the story of Safe Foods unfold when he served as associate director of the medical technology accelerator, ��Vlog��ýMS BioVentures. “Carl became intrigued with a technology that researchers at ��Vlog��ýMS had come up with, the use of cetylpyridinium chloride, to eliminate harmful food pathogens,” Damerow said. “These previous meat recalls were expensive, both in terms of money and reputation for the companies. Carl set up a new company, Safe Foods, to hold that license. Safe Foods is just a wonderful addition to our community. I think this illustrates the importance of research coming out of our universities. Safe Foods is now the premier food safety company in the country. What Carl did with his patience, persistence, and prayer getting Safe Foods through those early years and getting the product to the market is incredible and one of many reasons he is being honored.” Chris Coleman, president and CEO of Safe Foods and Rosenbaum’s grandson, said his grandfather is a strong leader who he admires greatly. “I was 22 when I started working at Safe Foods, and I’ve been here for 21 years now,” Coleman said. “My grandfather has been the strong leader that has brought us through the hard years of starting a new company to the fun years of celebration and success. The culmination of where we are right now is a product that protects over 300 million servings of food every day. We are looking forward to another 20 years of success and growth.” While accepting his award, Rosenbaum spoke about how many people are responsible for making Safe Foods a success. He invited three of his friends, co-workers, and family members to stage: Rush Deacon, former CEO of Safe Foods, Curtis Coleman, founding president and CEO of Safe Foods, and Chris Coleman, current CEO and president of Safe Foods. He presented each of them with a gavel and thanked them for their hard work and service.

Carl Rosenbaum, 2021 Fribourgh Award recipient, thanks three of his friends, co-workers, and family members for their hard work and dedication to Safe Foods: Rush Deacon, former CEO of Safe Foods, Curtis Coleman, founding president and CEO of Safe Foods, and Chris Coleman, current CEO and president of Safe Foods. Photo by Jen Missouri Photography.

“It’s interesting how God works in your life,” Rosenbaum said. “Years ago, God gave me the ability to sell. I found out that in life you come across friends, and friends are what help you. This day, Safe Foods touched 300 million meals in the world. One out of 10 venture capital companies doesn’t make it, and I know why. It’s pretty tough. At age 86, you think about a lot of things. One of the things you think about is that you aren’t much longer on this Earth. You also think about your friends, and you also think about how God has led you in your life. God has always been faithful to Safe Foods.” Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, said that Fribourgh events have raised more than half a million dollars for scholarships since they started in 2010 and that 30 students have received scholarships from the proceeds. “These scholarships are providing our students with the opportunity to get a great education and make a positive impact in the community,” Whitman said. “One of our scholarship recipients is a nontraditional student who has chosen to become an educator and will soon start teaching physics at a community college in Arkansas. This is just one example of the impact of your generous gifts at work. Your support of our students impacts their lives, impacts your lives, and impacts our community. Another Fribourgh scholarship recipient, Nabeel Alwan, graduated from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in May with two bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and biology. He is now applying to medical schools and plans to practice internal medicine or general surgery. “This scholarship has meant a lot to me,” Alwan said. “It gave me a push forward and the motivation to pursue my goals. It also gave me time to focus on research, and I was able to get published as an undergrad student for my research on combination therapies for cancer treatment. Growing up, my community was underdeveloped in having access to medicine care, and I want to help change that as a doctor.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock student shares love of robotics with “Star Wars” inspired microdroids

John Hill — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 17:20:19 +0000

One University of Arkansas at Little Rock student is hoping his series of microdroids inspired by a galaxy far, far away will inspire other students to get interested in STEM education. Alejandro “Alex” Alvarez-Barreiro, a junior double major in mechanical engineering technology and Spanish, received a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Signature Experience Award to build microdroids inspired by the “Star Wars” Universe. “I love ‘Star Wars’ and have a passion for robotics. So naturally I decided to build ‘Star Wars’ inspired robots,” Alvarez-Barreiro said. “The reason I wanted to do microdroids was because most robots that kids see are big and complicated. I wanted to show that it is possible to build a cool looking robot with very few funds and very simple parts. I used to work at the STEM Education Center so I have a passion for STEM events.” Alvarez-Barreiro has participated in the VEX Robotics summer programs at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock since he was in high school. Once he completes the six microdroids with funding from the Signature Experience Award, he plans to take them to different schools next year to share his love of robotics with junior high and high school students.

This micro droid created by Alejandro Alvarez-Barreiro was inspired by “Star Wars” character BB-8.

“I think the project is very cool that you can take something from a fictional universe and make it in real life,” he said. “There is a club of BB-8 and R2-D2 builders, and it’s a big worldwide group of people who have experience building these characters and that was very helpful for me. Sadly, I’m the only BB-8 builder in Arkansas, so I can’t ask local people for advice on the building process.” Alvarez-Barreiro spends a few weeks designing each microdroid on a CAD program. Depending on the size of the drone, it takes one to three days to print the components off of a 3D printer before they are assembled and painted. He has a life-size replica of BB-8 that is three feet tall and weighs 33 pounds. His first BB-8 robot came to an unfortunate end, but it led him to a new and better building strategy. “The first time I did the Signature Experience Award, I was prototyping a BB-8 robot,” he said. “During the expo, someone picked it up and dropped it. It shattered pretty quickly. This gave me an opportunity to create longer-lasting and stronger robots with 3D printing. They are made with PLA, a biodegradable plastic.” After finishing this project, Alvarez-Barreiro’s next goal is to create a life-size R2-D2 robot to accompany BB-8.

Whitmans make planned gift to benefit ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Donaghey College of STEM

John Hill — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 14:26:48 +0000

Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and his wife, Heidi Whitman, administrative coordinator for the Arkansas District Export Council, have made a planned gift, currently valued at $50,000, to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.�� “Heidi and I believe in the mission of the university and the mission of the college,” Whitman said. “We want to help out in a way that provides the most impact in the future. This is one area that not many people think to give to, and we want to highlight the importance of maintaining the Donaghey College of STEM.” The gift will benefit the Dean’s Fund for the Donaghey College of STEM, which provides general funding for projects that benefit the college. The Dean’s Fund has previously provided funding for laboratories, equipment, software, and professional development. “To provide a scholarship for students is a great legacy, but it is equally important to make sure that the labs and facilities where students study and learn are current and in good order,” Whitman said. “This helps a student to receive the best education possible.” The Whitmans feel it’s important to contribute to the future of STEM education and look forward to seeing the future innovations made by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students. “A lot of STEM education is wrapped up in technology, and this is the college that will enable the STEM innovations of the future,” Whitman said. “We are preparing future professionals for careers that will change the way we live in the future.”�� “STEM innovations are often the foundation for new businesses and thus economic growth for Arkansas, which we wholeheartedly support,” Heidi Whitman added.�� The Whitmans live in Little Rock and have two sons and one granddaughter. Lawrence Whitman joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as the dean of the former Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology and a professor of systems engineering in 2015. Before joining ArDEC, Heidi Whitman worked as the program officer for Global Ties Arkansas, a nonprofit which contracts with the federal government to bring international delegates to Little Rock for professional training.

Berry makes planned gift to support ��Vlog��ý Little Rock STEM students

John Hill — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 15:55:54 +0000

Dr. Brian Berry, vice provost for research and dean of the Graduate School, has made a planned gift, currently valued at about $50,000, to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to support the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). “I love this institution, and I love its mission,” Berry said. “This place has meant a lot to me. I am a first-generation college student. I couldn’t even dream of a Ph.D. when I first got here, but this place gave me more to dream about. I got hooked into chemistry and research, and I decided to get my Ph.D. I’ve always been thankful for the opportunities that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has given to me, and it’s natural to want to establish something to give back to the institution that has given me so much.” The Dr. Brian Berry Endowed Scholarship for the Sciences will provide funds for undergraduate ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students who are majoring in the sciences in the Donaghey College of STEM for education-related expenses, including tuition, fees, books, and room and board. “The great thing about being in STEM is there are so many opportunities,” Berry said. “Majoring in STEM gives you a broad-based education. Moving into the future, a STEM major gives you a lot of possibilities. The skills that you learn are transferable to so many different areas. The future is consistently moving in a technological direction. STEM majors will be set up well to achieve great things as society continues to move in that direction.” Dr. Lawrence Whitman, dean of the Donaghey College of STEM, thanked Berry for providing students a way to achieve their dream of a college education. “Our college reaches students from many backgrounds with different needs,” Whitman said. “This scholarship is a welcome addition for our students who would not previously be able to complete a science degree, but will now have a scholarship opportunity to fulfill their dream of a career in the sciences.” Berry earned a Ph.D. in applied science/chemistry and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, both from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. He completed a postdoc at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a National Research Council postdoc fellowship at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) before returning to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as an assistant professor of organic chemistry in 2008. He’s served as the graduate coordinator and chair of the Department of Chemistry as well as the director of the Applied Science Program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.�� Berry’s advice for students to be successful in college is to choose a major that they love. “My parents never pushed me in a particular direction,” Berry said. “They told me to find something that you love, and you’ll never do a day of work in your life. That is what I would encourage students to do. Find something that you love and are passionate about, and everything will fall into place after that.”

Founding Dean Dr. Mary Good left lasting legacy in Arkansas��

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 23:10:08 +0000

Dr. Mary Lowe Good, founding dean of the Donaghey College of Engineering and Technology (EIT) at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 20, in her sleep. Funeral services will be Nov. 25 and 26 at�� Dr. Good served as dean since the college’s founding in 1999 until her retirement in June 2011. She came to the university as a person with national stature in higher education, industry and government—a 46-year career in academia, corporate America, and public service. She served in scientific capacities in the administrations of four American presidents, , , , and . Dr. Good, with her shock of white hair, sensible shoes and commanding presence, gained a reputation as a no-nonsense dynamo who told legislators, governors, and a U.S. President that Arkansas’ future in the 21st century required a world-class engineering facility in the capital city and home-grown students to fill its classes. With her impressive educational and career experience, it was no wonder that she left a lasting impact on the university, Little Rock, and the state. Under her leadership, EIT developed a national reputation for excellence for assembling a first-class faculty and graduates prepared to succeed in high-paying engineering and technology jobs. This created a major positive impact on economic development in central Arkansas. “We have been very fortunate to have the benefit of Dr. Good’s leadership in establishing our College of Engineering and Information Technology,” said ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale. “She brought us top-rated talent, industry and government partnerships, and a brilliant vision of what we could become as a center for research and education in the engineering field. “The wonderful thing about Mary is that she took her role very seriously and made a personal connection with everyone affiliated with the college, from high ranking government sponsors to prospective students and families from remote locations. Creating success was personal for Mary and she never let us down. We will really miss her.” Former President Bill Clinton, keynote speaker at the college’s 10th anniversary gala on Nov. 19, 2009, told a sold-out crowd at the Jack Stephens Center that the decision by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock leaders to entice internationally renowned chemist Mary L. Good to be the inaugural dean of the Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology will have a profound impact on the state of Arkansas. “I think 50 years from now, when you look back, you might think that the establishment of the College of Engineering and Information Technology and the luring of this astonishing woman into this job may wind up being the most significant thing this institution has done since its creation,” Clinton said. Honorary chairs for the gala were Thomas “Mack” McLarty, former White House chief-of-staff, and retired Acxiom chief executive officer Charles Morgan. Proceeds from the $250-a-plate gala helped to support the college. More than 500 local, state, and national business and scientific leaders�� attended the reception and dinner in the Jack Stephens Center, just a block from the new six-story, state-of-the-art EIT building that would open in spring 2010. Dr. Good led the development of the EIT curriculum with input from area engineering and technology employers, including�� Acxiom, Southwest Power Pool, and Verizon Wireless, and SAIC. Over the years, these companies have supported the college’s programs and students through funding research and facilities and hiring students for both internships and career employment.

Dr. Mary Good (center) at the dedication of the Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology in 2010.

In 2010, the Systems Engineering program was the top-ranked engineering program at a public university in the South by U.S. News & World Report. In 2012, Dr. Good was one of five national dignitaries in education honored at the inauguration of the new U.S. News STEM Leadership Hall of Fame. She had a special interest in recruiting young women into engineering and other STEM careers through the Arkansas Women’s Foundation program, Girls of Promise.�� At the time of Mary’s retirement, Dr. Joel Anderson said, “In 10 years, she took EIT from concept to exceptional reality. With her unmistakable intellectual strength and well-known inability to take no for an answer, this hard-charging Arkansas woman was the ideal choice to serve as founding dean of EIT.” Following retirement, Mary continued to serve as special advisor for economic development for Dr. Anderson. She donated her papers to the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Center for History and Culture. Archivists are currently processing her collection.�� A former president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Dr. Good was the recipient of many awards, including the Vannevar Bush Award, the National Science Foundation’s highest honor; the National Science Foundation Distinguished Service medal; the American Chemical Society Priestley Medal, and was the sixth annual Heinz Award Winner. She was inducted in the in 2015. Her amazing life and career are chronicled on and . The Arkansas Education Television Network created this about Dr. Good when the network honored her as one of AETN’s Men and Women of Distinction which recognized Arkansans who have made a profound effect on the development of the state.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Jodie Mahony Center receives nearly $2.5 million STEM grant

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 13:14:34 +0000

The Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received nearly $2.5 million to develop and implement a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program that identifies and serves academically promising second- and third-grade students in Arkansas.�� Funded by a five-year $2,449,587 grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the STEM+C2 program is designed to identify promising students through universal screening and provide services to gifted and talented second- and third-grade students, including students from underrepresented populations.�� “The STEM+C2 team assembled across three universities is a thrilling powerhouse of women devoted to developing academic and creative STEM talents in young children,” said Dr. Ann Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center and principal investigator of the grant. “The current grant is the third in a series and builds on both STEM Starters and STEM Starters+. We published several research studies documenting the effectiveness of this intervention. In fact, one study, ‘,’ received two awards for research excellence. When we complete STEM+C2, we will have been funded for 15 years to develop, research, and disseminate an effective STEM intervention in elementary schools.” STEM+C2 is the third five-year grant Jodie Mahony Center researchers have received through the, which emphasizes serving traditionally underrepresented students in gifted and talented services to reduce the�� gap in achievement among groups of students at the highest levels of performance. The Jodie Mahony Center will provide elementary students with the tools and resources they need to succeed in computer science, engineering, and science with creativity and innovation. Through professional development, STEM+C2 will prepare second- and third-grade teachers in gifted, creative, and talented education with summer institutes and academic year support.�� Fellow researchers on the grant include Dr. Jill Adelson, research scientist with Duke University’s Talent Identification Program; Dr. Christine Cunningham, professor of education and engineering at Penn State University; Kristy Kidd, project director in the Jodie Mahony Center, and Dr. Christine Deitz, associate director of the Jodie Mahony Center. “The STEM+C2 project will empower over 100 teachers to engage students in creative and innovative curriculum connected to STEM and computer science education,” Deitz said. “This exciting intervention is designed to develop learning talent in the primary grades and help teachers spot potential in young learners; especially children from low-income families and in populations who are traditionally underrepresented in gifted programs.”�� The program’s professional development component will equip teachers with content related to STEM disciplines, strategies to identify promising students from underrepresented groups, a STEM+C2 toolkit with engineering design challenges and computer science explorations, and support for National Board Teacher Certification. The program will also prepare teachers to implement “Blueprints for Biography: Computer Science Series,” developed by researchers at the Jodie Mahony Center. The series features STEM innovators Grace Hopper, a pioneer of computer programming; Ada King, an English mathematician and Countess of Lovelace; and Raye Montague, the 2019 recipient of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Fribourgh Award who created the first computer-generated rough draft of a U.S. naval ship. Over the course of the grant, the program will serve nearly 1,400 second- and third-grade students, 60 classroom teachers, 30 gifted education teachers, and 30 elementary school principals across two cohorts at 30 elementary schools in the state.

Gifted education, STEM equals winning combination for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock teacher

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 30 May 2018 13:56:30 +0000

As a gifted education professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with more than a decade of experience, Dr. Bronwyn MacFarlane is always looking for ways to share the gift of education.�� In the past 15 years, MacFarlane has taken note of the increased demand for more Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. She believes that combining the lessons of gifted education is the way to make a winning formula for providing great STEM education. “STEM education has been a hot topic for 12 to 15 years now,” she said. “Some teachers may find themselves tasked with starting a STEM program. There is a lot to think about. How do I begin? What are the materials to use? To offer STEM programs is important, but you want to deliver high-quality STEM programs that will offer students an advanced understanding in STEM topics. That is what we can learn from the field of gifted education – ways to deliver curriculum and instruction in powerful, quality, and best-practice strategies.” MacFarlane recently explored this topic by serving as a guest editor of the Roeper Review, an academic journal. The special issue explored integrating STEM education with gifted curriculum. The refereed articles in the special issue explored curriculum planning in STEM education, robotics programs, how to integrate the arts into STEM education, measurement of the success of academic programs, and international STEM education programs. “Serving as guest editor is an important scholarly task as the guest editor identifies a specific topic that needs to be further addressed in a special publication. Before this special issue came out, I led the creation of a 2016 book titled It has been well received as a guidebook for educators and also translated into Arabic,” she said. “This special spring journal issue of Roeper Review takes it a step further with the latest research that has focused on integrating STEM and gifted education practices, so it moves us forward in understanding what works and how educators can offer programs that are really high-quality and powerful learning experiences.” MacFarlane pointed to the Girls in STEM Leadership Conference on campus as an example of a high-quality and powerful learning experience that promotes STEM education. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock STEM Education Center hosted three conferences during the spring 2018 semester for hundreds of girls in the seventh and eighth grades. MacFarlane served as a guest speaker on a panel discussion led by women working in STEM fields. “I spoke to the girls about my work as an educator and a scholar. I described research findings about characteristics of successful achievers and how we can learn from patterns of success,” she said. “We had a really enthusiastic response from all the students in attendance. They wanted to know how we successfully achieved our goals so they could do that for their own personal journeys.” MacFarlane also serves as the nationally elected chair of the with more than 1,000 members in the National Association for Gifted Children. She is continuing to add to the body of research for gifted education with a new book coming out this summer, The new 2018 book focuses on how to serve high-ability learners in specialized schools and deliver school-wide educational change.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock instructor leads project to develop STEM education tool

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 23:22:48 +0000

Ben Rainwater, instructor of systems engineering with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, will lead a project at Brown Engineers to create a water engineering computer simulation for students in grades six through 12.�� , an electrical engineering consulting firm in Little Rock, was awarded a $225,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Science Foundation. The simulation will be used to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education across the state. “We envision students would go through a guided simulation and then a game where the students are asked to solve a problem or respond to a crisis,” Rainwater said. “For example, the students could be asked to bring a central water line to a town. They would use math, science, and engineering principles to build a functioning water plant. It would be a rich environment to teach the students.” Rainwater, electrical design engineer at Brown Engineers, will serve as the project’s principal investigator, while his co-worker, Sam Vandiver, lead technologist, will be the lead technical advisor. “The project is intended to teach students about water engineering and career education,” Rainwater said. “We want to translate engineering practice to engineering education to teach students how to apply the concepts they are learning in the classroom.” The simulation will educate students about the water purification process, engineering skills needed to create infrastructure, water conservation, and careers in the water treatment industry. “We think that it is valuable to train students on pathways to water-related jobs and to tackle challenges related to our shared and most valuable resource,” he said. The encourages small businesses to engage in research and development that has the potential for commercialization. The one-year Phase 1 grant will cover market research costs like conducting interviews with educators and curriculum developers to understand the STEM education market. Brown Engineers will apply for a Phase II grant, which supports the development of the product, by the end of the year, Rainwater said. Rainwater completed his Master of Science degree and Ph.D. in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His Ph.D. research includes new materials development for emerging energy technologies with support from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy. Rainwater has worked at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock since 2016 and teaches Introduction to Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Materials classes. “It’s a great opportunity to teach engineering materials to students,” he said. “Dr. Andrew Wright, Dr. Ibrahim Nisanci, and Dr. Alex Biris have been great mentors in the Systems Engineering department, and I’m lucky to get to teach my favorite subject.”

Fribourgh Award Reception raises $60,000 for STEM scholarships at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 14:18:23 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock raised $60,000 for undergraduate mathematics and science students during the eighth annual Fribourgh Award Reception held Sept. 28 at Pleasant Valley Country Club.�� The Fribourgh Award recognizes individuals who made considerable contributions to the state through the disciplines of mathematics and science. Jerry and Sherri Damerow, longtime supporters of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, were honored as this year’s recipients. The Damerows have been ardent supporters of the Fribourgh Award Reception since it began in 2010 to honor the late Dr. James H. Fribourgh, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor emeritus, who served the university for more than 45 years as chair of Life Sciences, interim chancellor, vice chancellor for academic affairs, and distinguished professor of biology. Jerry Damerow, who serves on the Science Dean’s Council at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, is retired Ernst and Young partner and currently chief financial officer at LLC, a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences BioVentures start-up company, while Sherri Damerow is an artist and retired kindergarten teacher. �� In 2009, the Damerows began funding an endowed scholarship for mathematics and statistics students that can be used for tuition, books, fees, room and board, and travel expenses. This year’s Fribourgh Award was created by Michael Warrick, professor of sculpture. Warrick designed a miniature version of his sculpture, �Ԩ�ǳܳٳ�,” which was recently delivered to officials in Hanam, South Korea, to honor the 25th anniversary of the Sister City partnership between Little Rock and Hanam that began in 1992. The 14-inch award is made of bronze, walnut, and gold leaf. Warrick designed the award using 3-D modeling software. The piece is made of bronze, walnut, and gold leaf.

Alfred Williams (left) ��presents the Fribourgh Award to Jerry Damerow (right) during the Sept. 28 award reception at Pleasant Valley Country Club. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Science and Mathematics Leadership Endowed Scholarship Fund for undergraduate students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.�� Tom Clifton, dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences, was proud of the fine example of student support demonstrated by the Damerows and the event’s supporters. Thanks to their generosity, Clifton was proud to announce that the 2017 Fribourgh Award Reception was the highest-grossing fundraiser to support the Science and Mathematics Leadership Endowed Scholarship Fund at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. So far, nine students have received scholarships from the fund. The most recent recipient, Lyle Arnette, has a 4.0 GPA and will graduate in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in physics and a minor in mathematics. Meanwhile, the 2016 scholarship recipient, John Siratt, received a grant from the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium and interned with the NASA Langley Research Center this summer. His research finds applications in autopilot and autonomous drone systems to help program computers to correctly navigate planes using spherical geometry. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson praised the event for putting the spotlight on supporting science and mathematics students through scholarships. “The biggest risk factor for students in higher education today is a shortage of money,” Rogerson said. “Often it’s not the lack of determination or intellectual ability that deters students from completing a degree—it’s financial constraints. So scholarship support is crucial to student success, and I thank each of you here tonight for your support and generosity.” There is a need for more students to major in STEM fields to fill gaps in the workforce and promote growth in the state and national economy, Rogerson said. The Center on Education and Workforce projects there will be a 19 percent increase in STEM careers by 2020. “Science is the engine of prosperity,” Rogerson said. “The United States has developed as a global leader, in large part, through the genius and hard work of its scientists, engineers, and innovators. The number of jobs available in the United States is directly related to advances made in science and engineering.”

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