JMU to participate in the NSF STEM for All Video Showcase
College of Integrated Science and Engineering
Dr. Bob Kolvoord, Dean of the College of Integrated Science and Engineering at James Madison University will be featured in the 2018 STEM for All Video Showcase funded by the National Science Foundation. The event will be held online May 14th -21st at http://stemforall2018.videohall.com.
The presentation, entitled “Neural Impacts of Classroom-based Spatial Education” looks at how the innovative use of classroom technology, through JMU’s Geospatial Semester impacts participating students’ critical thinking and brain structure. The project was funded by the National Science Foundation.
This is the second year for Dr. Kolvoord’s work to be featured in this showcase. Kolvoord and colleagues from Georgetown, Northwestern and Dartmouth are bringing neuroscience to the classroom, studying how classroom experiences impact students’ spatial thinking and neural function. “Our research is uniting the classroom and the neuroscience laboratory” notes Kolvoord. “We’re looking at how a cutting-edge technology is impacting the way students learn and develop their spatial thinking skills. The results of our research will help teachers and students better integrate spatial education in their schools.”
Now in its fourth year, the annual showcase will feature over 200 innovative projects aimed at improving STEM learning and teaching, which have been funded by the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies. During the weeklong, event researchers, practitioners, policymakers and members of the public are invited to view the short videos, discuss them with the presenters online, and vote for their favorites.
The theme for this year’s event is “Transforming the Educational Landscape.” Video presentations cover a wide range of topics including science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, cyberlearning, citizen science, maker spaces, mentoring, informal learning, professional development, research and evaluation, NGSS and the Common Core. The videos highlight initiatives for students of all ages - kindergarten through graduate school, as well as those for adult learners.
Last year’s STEM for All Video Showcase is still being accessed, and to date has had over 51,000 unique visitors from over 189 countries.
The STEM for All Video Showcase is created and hosted by TERC a non-profit, research and development organization, located in Cambridge MA. TERC partners with six NSF funded resource centers MSPnet, CADRE, CAISE, CIRCL, STELAR, CS for All Teachers. The Showcase is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (#1642187).
For more information contact, Dr. Bob Kolvoord.
