ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA — Winthrop University faculty members Cassandra M. Bell, Kelly Costner and Beth Costner are featured in the 2022 STEM for All Video Showcase, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The virtual showcase is online now through May 17 at stemforall2022.videohall.com.
The trio, who co-direct the Winthrop Initiative for STEM Educators (WISE), submitted a video presentation called “Building a Cross-Generational Community of STEM Educators.” The video looks at the development of a close-knit group of teachers through the summer experience and scholarship programs provided through WISE. The WISE project was funded from 2010-2021 by the NSF’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program.
“WISE started out as a way to recruit more math and science teachers through scholarships and a summer experience that provided insight into what being an educator is really about,” explained Bell, a biology instructor. “It’s been very successful in that regard, as we now have two to three times as many math and science teachers in our programs as we did prior to 2010.”
“We now see how that growth is primarily the result of relationships formed among our current students, the graduated scholars who are now teaching in our middle and high schools, and our project staff,” added Kelly Costner, associate professor of education. “We support each other, and that kind of tight-knit group attracts others to the field and helps with retention in the career.”
About the Showcase
Now in its eighth year, the annual showcase features more than 275 innovative projects aimed at improving science, technology, math, engineering and computer science education, all of which have been funded by the NSF and other federal agencies. During the event, researchers, practitioners, policy makers and members of the public are invited to view the short videos, engage in discussion with the presenters online and vote for their favorites.
The theme for this year’s event is “Access, Inclusion, and Equity.”
Last year’s STEM for All Video Showcase is still being accessed, and to date has had over 103,000 unique visitors from 178 countries.
The STEM for All Video Showcase is hosted by TERC, in partnership with: STEMTLnet, CADRE, CAISE, CIRCLS, STELAR, CS for All Teachers, NARST, NCTM, NSTA, NSF INCLUDES and QEM.
