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Maker space project helps build future engineering foundation

Students strategize the best way forward on their project during the Maker Friday engineering courses at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, in fall 2018.

It’s Friday morning in the Maker Space Lab at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, and the room is abuzz — literally and figuratively.

One group of students is hard at work on the 3D printer. Other students collaborate on a computer aided design (CAD) project. Another group concentrates on woodworking with power tools. Full Article

Empowering preschool teachers to reflect, talk about science

Children explore the garden at EMEI Ignacio in Recife, Brazil, one of the preschools engaged in PreSTAR.
Teacher Elizinete Natália Queiroz de Araújo Souza, left, shows a worm to Renata Gomes, CYFS graduate student, center, and young students at EMEI Ignacio in São Paulo. See gallery.

Tucked away from the busy city streets of São Paulo, Brazil, young learners are exploring a colorful garden with spades, magnifying glasses and other tools. They gather around their preschool teacher who is holding a freshly dug worm in her hands. They observe the wriggling creature together. After the excited shrieks subside, the teacher begins to ask them questions. Full Article

Identifying, controlling selection bias in tests of differential item functioning

Marc Goodrich and Natalie Koziol are exploring ways to identify and combat selection bias in differential item functioning.
Marc Goodrich and Natalie Koziol are exploring ways to identify and control selection bias in evaluations of differential item functioning. Learn more in the CYFS Research Network.

As demand increases for employees with expertise in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, representation of Latinos in STEM fields continues to lag.

As of 2011, Latinos represented only 7 percent of the American STEM workforce, despite accounting for more than 16 percent of the U.S. population. Full Article

Project enhances Nebraska STEM access, understanding

Teachers participate in a STEM education class at Henzlik Hall.
Teachers participate in a STEM education class at Henzlik Hall as part of the NebraskaSTEM project for supporting elementary rural leadership.

Recent studies show that 85 percent of the U.S. population has access to 4G — fourth-generation — broadband network technology.

Which means 15 percent of Americans do not.

In Nebraska, the numbers are better: A recent report by Nebraska Broadband indicates broadband is available to 99.5 percent of the state’s residents. Full Article

Examining strategies to enhance the arithmetic-to-algebra transition

Jessica Namkung, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders, is exploring ways to help students with math learning difficulties prepare for algebra.
Jessica Namkung, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders, is exploring ways to help students with math learning difficulties prepare for algebra.

For students struggling to learn math, confusion and frustration can be common denominators. But a recent University of Nebraska research project aims to help remove those negative factors from the equation.

According to previous studies, students with math learning difficulties experience the most severe and persistent underachievement in algebra compared to their peers. Jessica Namkung, assistant professor of special education and communication disorders, is exploring ways to help such students prepare for algebra. Full Article

Video available of Spring 2019 Emerging Scholar Workshop research presentation

Tim Guetterman, applied research methodologist at the University of Michigan, leads a March 7 research presentation to kick off the MAP Academy’s Spring 2019 Emerging Scholar Series.
Tim Guetterman, applied research methodologist and co-director of the University of Michigan’s Mixed Methods Program, leads a March 7 research presentation at the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center.

Tim Guetterman, applied research methodologist and co-director of the Michigan Mixed Methods Program, led the Spring 2019 Emerging Scholar Workshop hosted by CYFS’ Nebraska Academy for Methodology, Analytics and Psychometrics.

The event’s March 7 research presentation, “Training and Assessing Communication Skills Using Virtual Human Technology: A Mixed Methods Investigation,” is now available on video. Full Article

Study examines STEM pathways in the community college

Elvira Abrica, assistant professor of educational leadership and higher education, is examining institutional factors within community colleges that affect students from underrepresented and underserved populations who wish to transfer to four-year institutions in STEM fields.
Elvira Abrica, assistant professor of educational leadership and higher education, is examining institutional factors within community colleges that affect students from underrepresented and underserved populations who wish to transfer to four-year institutions in STEM fields.

As demand increases for a growing workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, the nation’s colleges and universities strive to recruit and retain students from diverse backgrounds.

Open-access institutions, including community colleges, enroll the majority of U.S. college students and play a crucial role in increasing the number of graduates with STEM degrees. Full Article

Registration open for Spring 2019 Emerging Scholar Workshop

MAP-Emerging-Scholars_Tim_Guetterman_blog

Registration is now open for the Spring 2019 Emerging Scholar Workshop, led by the University of Michigan’s Tim Guetterman, applied research methodologist and co-director of the Michigan Mixed Methods Program.

The two-day event will be March 7 and 8 at the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, Unity Room (212). The event is presented by the Nebraska Academy for Methodology, Analytics and Psychometrics. Full Article