Connections - Spring 2012
Spring 2012 Issue
Note:
In addition to the articles published in this issue of Connections, you may view all recent news releases on the College of Education's News Release Web site.
Dean's Message
In Defense of Academic Freedom
College News
CSATS Directors Visit Ghana to Facilitate Science-Based Sister School Project
Annmarie Ward and Leah Bug spent three weeks in Africa as part of a five-year STEM research project known as ReBUild to study disease outbreaks.
Newly Launched AJE Forum Encourages Interaction on Education Topics
The forum, a feature of the American Journal of Education, is expected to serve as an important vehicle for users to contribute to the discourse on education.
Harold Cheatham Named Distinguished Alumnus
A 1961 graduate of the College of Education, Cheatham has received the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award from Penn State.
Humphrey Fellows Inspired by the Spirit of Volunteerism
The fellows at Penn State have fully immersed themselves in dozens of professional, academic, and cultural programs.
Marcellus Shale Informational Conference for School Officials Being Planned
The March 15 conference will be held on Penn State’s University Park campus. Educators, school administrators, and community stakeholders in the gas-drilling region are urged to attend.
Waterbury Lecture Series Continues in March and April
March 22: Kathleen Metz, internationally recognized scholar and professor at the University of California, Berkeley, will discuss ways educators can come to understand evolution by natural selection among second and third graders.
April 23: Mark Windschitl, of the University of Washington, will speak about the best means for teaching the professional educators of tomorrow.
Book Club Forming in Advance of Visit from New York Times Bestselling Author
Sarah Vowell, author of Unfamiliar Fishes, will be visiting Penn State April 9.
Penn State Offers Scholarships for Special Education Master's Degree and Certification
Participants can concurrently earn both a master's degree and certification in the program that begins in summer 2012.
Traditional American Indian Powwow to Be Held April 14-15
The annual powwow attracts more than 150 dancers from a number of American Indian reservations around the country.
Faculty and Staff News
Lindsay Elected AAAS Fellow
Beverly Lindsay, professor and senior scientist of higher education and international policy studies, has been elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Arbaugh Elected President of AMTE
The Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators is the country’s largest professional organization devoted to improving math teacher education.
Graphic Organizers Aid Students with Learning Disabilities
Doug Dexter and Charlie Hughes found that students who are taught with graphic organizers perform better posttest than when traditional instructional techniques are used.
Kolb Authors New Book on Facilitation of Small Groups
Small Group Facilitation offers research, insights, and suggestions on ways to improve the functioning of groups or teams.
Lloyd Produces Two New Books on Mathematics Education
Curriculum-Based Activities and Resources for Preservice Math Teachers offers strategies and resources for using Standards-based curriculum materials in mathematics teacher education.
Developing Essential Understanding of Expressions, Equations, and Functions: Grades 6-8 encourages teachers to explore math ideas that are central to understanding algebra.
New Book Helps K–5 Teachers Engage Students in Constructing Evidence-Based Explanations in Science
Carla Zembal-Saul, Katherine McNeill, and Kimber Hershberger are co-authors of What’s Your Evidence? Engaging K–5 Students in Constructing Explanations in Science.
Solving the Problem of Transferring Study-Abroad Credits
Jamie Myers examines how study-abroad credits are recognized by home institutions.
Boldt Co-Edits Bank Street Occasional Papers Series That Addresses Teacher Accountability
The special issue is titled "Challenging the Politics of the Teacher Accountability Movement: Toward a More Hopeful Educational Future."
Heid Delivers Invited Keynote Address at Conference in Sweden
The biennial conference Matematikbiennalen hosts approximately three thousand mathematics teachers from Sweden.
Staff Changes
Keep up with the most recent changes in staffing around the College.
Congratulations Faculty and Staff
Recent achievements of Kathleen Collins, Joe Valente, Myrna Covington, Susan Faircloth, Steven Herb, and Gwen Lloyd.
Faculty Research
Review the latest faculty/staff presentations, publications, grants, and grant proposals.
Student News
EDTHP Doctoral Students Present Qualitative Research at Poster Session
The event was part of the coursework of the program’s Qualitative Methods I course
Penn State's Student-Run African Book Project Begins New Drive
College of Education junior Michael Gottfried has founded and organized the Penn State African Library Project.
Sophomore and Disabled Student Advocate Inspired to Teach
Caitlin Campbell's inspiration is her older brother, Brett.
Education Majors: Experience Teaching in the City
A two-week, 3-credit course offers undergraduates a unique immersion experience and exposure to diversity in Philadelphia’s public school system.
Congratulations Students
Recent achievements of Elizabeth Cipriano Essel, Eryka Charley, Stephanie Cardona, Michael Hannon, David Knight, David Perez, and Nalova Westbrook.
Connections is published by the Penn State College of Education five times a year.
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College of Education Home Page: http://www.ed.psu.edu
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Penn State Home Page: http://www.psu.edu
Editor: Suzanne Wayne, jxs59@psu.edu
Associate Editor: Joe Savrock, jts14@psu.edu
Writers: Sara LaJeunesse, Patrick Beal, Wildamie Ceus
This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce. U.Ed. EDU 12-39
