Keynote Speakers

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Keynote Presentation - Integrating STEM and Language with All Students, Including English Learners

Okhee Lee, PhD., Professor of Childhood Education, New York University - Steinhardt

Three emerging forces are shaping the landscape of STEM education: growing student diversity, increasing academic rigor of content standards, and advancing technological innovations. The convergence of broadening participation in STEM subjects through technological innovations represents the lives of students and teachers in classrooms and informal educational settings. As disciplinary practices in STEM subjects (e.g., develop models, argue from evidence, construct explanations) are language intensive, engagement in these practices presents both learning opportunities and demands to all students, especially English learners. The presentation will address contemporary perspectives on how to integrate STEM and language with all students, including English learners. Using classroom examples, this presentation will highlight the mutually supportive nature of instructional shifts in STEM learning and second language acquisition.

Closing Keynote Address - Science with a Side of Laughter

Mayim Bialik, PhD., Award-Winning Actress from the Big Bang Theory and Author

A life in science inspired at an early age complemented by comedy and acting doesn't sound like a normal path, but is exactly the experience of Dr. Mayim Bialik. Join us as Mayim shares what inspired her to pursue a career in science (as well as acting), balanced with a dose of laughter and entertainment, experiences as a woman in the field of research and what we can all do to make an impact on the future of our students.