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UTK Science Ed faculty at Lenoir City School

Science Education Outreach Efforts in Lenoir City Schools

Written by Mehmet Aydeniz, associate professor of STEM / science education

Theory and Practice in Teacher Education (TPTE) science education faculty members began a partnership with members of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Tickle College of Engineering and Lenoir City Schools in Fall 2018 to support middle and high school teachers and students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. The goals of the collaboration include: supporting Lenoir City Schools STEM teachers with understanding the recently implemented Tennessee Academic Standards in science; providing guidance to STEM teachers with aligning teaching and assessments to the content of the new standards; and encouraging middle and high school students to consider engineering as a potential college degree. To date, UT faculty have conducted two workshops with middle and high school science teachers. Additionally, middle and high school students toured several laboratories in the UT Tickle College of Engineering. The students enjoyed exploring the makerspace areas and engaged in hands-on design activities.  These experiences were coordinated by: Mehmet Aydeniz, associate professor of science education; Keith Stanfill, director of integrated engineering design; Travis Griffin, director of the Tickle College of Engineering’s Office of Diversity Programs; John Hoffschneider, coordinator of the Tickle College of Engineering’s Office of Diversity Programs; and Hector Pulgar, assistant professor of electrical engineering).

Photo caption:

(Left to Right):Mark Weeks, assistant principal of Lenoir City High School; Christina Lambdin, library media specialist, Lenoir City Middle School; Mehmet Aydeniz, associate professor of science education; and Hector Pulgar-Painemal, assistant professor electrical engineering.