Overview
Welcome to the STEM Education Institute’s Seminar’s page! Below, you can view an overview of the program:
Events:
Breaking the Myth of the “Non-Traditional” Physicist: The Real Story About Employment for Physics Graduates
Dr. Crystal Bailey, Head of Career Programs, American Physical Society
Date/Time: Monday, April 22, 2024, 4:00-5:00PM
Location: Hasbrouck 109 (Refreshments at 3:45PM)
Abstract:
Physics degree holders are among the most employable in the world, often doing everything from managing a research lab at a multi-million dollar corporation, to developing solutions to global problems in their own small startups. Science and Technology employers know that with a physics training, a potential hire has acquired a broad problem-solving skill set that translates to almost any environment, as well as an ability to be self-guided and -motivated so that they can teach themselves whatever is needed to be successful at achieving their goals. Therefore it’s no surprise that the majority of physics graduates find employment in private–sector, industrial settings. At the same time, only about 25% of graduating PhDs will take a permanent faculty position–yet academic careers are usually the only track to which students are exposed while earning their degrees.
In this talk, I will explore less-familiar (but more common!) career paths for physics graduates, and will provide information on resources to boost your career planning and job hunting skills.
Usable Math: Math Learning Through Problem Solving and Design
Sharon A. Edwards, Clinical Faculty
Robert W. Maloy, Senior Lecturer
Sai Gattupalli, Doctoral Candidate
Aubrey Coyne, Undergraduate Project Assistant
Date/Time: Monday, March 11, 2024, 4:00-5:00PM
Location: Hasbrouck 104A (Refreshments at 3:45PM)
Abstract:
Usable Math is a free and accessible online interactive math problem solving platform for elementary school-age children and their teachers, tutors, caregivers, and families. It is being developed by a team of UMass Amherst researchers led by Sharon Edwards in the College of Education. Our workshop will highlight the site’s design and functions, including:
- 17 problem solving modules featuring essential math concepts taught in elementary schools.
- Use of virtual coaches to support students’ math thinking and learning.
- Motivation strategies to engage and sustain student learning.
- Storytelling modules connecting math with science, history and English/language arts.
- Students writing their own math problems and solving strategies
- GenAI-enhancements for teachers.
Teaching College-Level Math in Prisons and Jails
Annie Raymond, UMass Amherst
Date/Time: Monday, February 12, 2024, 4:00-5:00PM
Location: Hasbrouck 104A (Refreshments at 3:45PM)
Abstract:
For the past eight years, I have had the privilege of teaching for-credit college-level math courses to bright and passionate students incarcerated in different prisons and jails. I will tell you about the history of higher education in carceral settings in America, about my personal experiences teaching there, and the work that the UMass Jail Eduaction Initiative is doing.
Speaker Bio:
Annie Raymond is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at UMass Amherst. Her research interests lie in combinatorial optimization, extremal graph theory, applied real algebraic geometry, operations research, proof complexity and polyhedral combinatorics. Aside from the prison project she will speak about, Annie is also interested in thinking of different ways of making math more diverse. Check out _forall on Instagram and on www.mathisforall.com which features women and people of color in mathematics.