Discussion Series
The STEM TIG Discussion Series is a series of virtual discussion sessions that happen every other month and focuses on topics related to equity, systemic racism, social justice, and evaluation. Sessions engage participants in discussion with colleagues, support reflection on our own professional practices, and foster new relationships across the field.
The discussion sessions are open to anyone interested in these crucial issues. We also welcome suggestions for discussion topics and facilitators. Please contact the Discussion Chair with any questions or ideas.
2021 Discussion Chair: Nicole Martin, ndmartin@tacc.utexas.edu
2021 Schedule
Third Wednesday of each even-numbered month from 4 to 5pm ET.
- February 17, 2021 ✔
- April 21, 2021 ✔
- June 16, 2021 ✔
- October 22, 2021 ✔
October 22, 2021
- Elisabeth Johnson, Michelle Burd, and Marya Fowler
- Navigating Tension Points: Responsive Facilitation for Informal STEM Learning with Youth
- Presentation slides - pdf
- Responsive facilitation is central to utilization-focused evaluation. During this session, our facilitators will reflect on the role of responsive facilitation (i.e., listening, dialogue, and action) in designing and revising a four-part evaluation workshop series with a national non-profit leader in conservation education for youth. Drawing on the conception of facilitation as work with creative tensions, we’ll reflect on navigating emotional, adaptive, contextual sensitivities relevant to STEM education evaluation, such as: tensions between standardized testing outcomes and informal science education practices, program logic models and organizational theories of change, and knowledge bases for environmental education of children and youth. Implications for theory and practice in K-12 STEM evaluation will be shared and discussed.
- Register for the virtual discussion to receive the Zoom link here:
REGISTER
June 16, 2021
- Jamboard discussion notes
- An engaging conversation about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our work as STEM education evaluators and how we can shift our evaluation practices in response. Come discuss your own experiences and hear from colleagues about how they are approaching these issues and more.
- How can we analyze and present data in ways that address the impacts of COVID-19?
- How can we discuss the implications of COVID-19 on project outcomes with clients?
- How can we frame evaluation findings in reports for funders in light of the impacts COIVD-19 has had on educational programs?
April 21, 2021
- Melissa K. Demetrikopoulos
- Focus Group Intentional Composition and Representation
- Dr. Demetrikopoulos will facilitate a discussion on how decisions made about the composition of focus groups and the representation of the study's larger population impacts the evaluation outcomes.
February 17, 2021
- Collaborative AEA Conference Proposal Development
October 13, 2020
August 18, 2020
- Cherie Avent
- Language and Equity in STEM Evaluation Practice