P13 - Preparing Teachers for Transformative Inclusive Mechatronics Leadership

Friday, November 8, 2024

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM East Coast USA Time

Primary Presenter(s)

Ruthmae Sears

Professor in Mathematics Education & Associate Director of Coalition for Science Literacy
University of South Florida, United States

Co-Presenter(s)

Stephanie A. Arthur

Assistant Professor of Instruction
University of South Florida
Temple Terrace, Florida, United States
RP

Robert Potter

Professor & Senior Associate Dean
University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida, United States
AC

Alexandro Castellanos

Professor of Instruction
University of South Florida, United States
BJ

Brandy Jackson

CEO Scoutlier
University of South Florida, United States

Program Abstract: Mechatronics Integrated into STEM Teaching for Transformative Inclusive Communities (MISTTIC) is an ongoing study providing unique opportunities for district Master Teaching Fellows participating in a year-long Mechatronics training/certification provided by the research team to demonstrate the effectiveness of convergence learning methodologies supporting STEM pathways for students. Through a structured inclusive mentoring approach based on the ADDIE framework (Gamrat, et al., 2022), the research team supports teacher leaders to enhance their professional growth and broaden their influence/impact on learning communities, thus creating recognition for career advancement opportunities to increase students’ entering STEM pathways. Outcomes of this study may support goals for STEM education including preparation/retention of K-12 STEM teacher leaders to develop action-oriented programs for high-need districts including mechatronics-based lessons through experiential education to improve inclusivity in schools and after-school programs, thereby broadening the pipeline to bridge the school to STEM field workforce for a wider group of students.