Georgia Southern COE shows strong presence at state science teacher conference

April 8, 2019

Georgia Southern University College of Education was represented with nine presentations during the Georgia Science Teachers Association (GSTA) conference held in February.

Students representing both the Statesboro and Armstrong Campuses attended the conference held in Columbus, Georgia and presented a wide array of topics.

Armstrong Campus students and faculty at GSTA

Students representing the Armstrong Campus were:

• “Investigating the Use of Individual Student-Nurtured Plant Specimens (ISNPS) as a Tool for the Promotion of Self-Efficacy in the Secondary Science Classroom,” presented by MAT candidate Lindsay Norcross
• “Utilizing Game Strategies to Increase Student Participation and Learning in 8th Grade,” presented by MAT candidate Lorna Smith
• “Using Academic Language to Enhance Student Understanding,” presented by MAT candidate Caryn Nelson
• “Utilizing Question Driven Project- Based Learning Techniques in a Sixth Grade Research Classroom to Promote Abstract Learning that is a Necessary Foundation for Research,” presented by undergraduate Monique Ellis
• “Understanding Freshman Adjustment to High School,” presented by undergraduate Allison Gladin  
• “How to Use an Online Gaming Platform in a Science Classroom to Improve Student Engagement and Performance,” workshop session presented by MAT candidate Kaitlyn Demirjian, Lauren Kelly of the STEM Academy at Bartlet, Britton Scott of the Polaris Tech Charter School, and COE assistant professor Mary Rebecca Wells, Ed.D.

Statesboro Campus students and faculty at GSTA

Students representing the Statesboro Campus were:

• “Phenomena, 3-D Framework, and Collaboration: Working Together to Better our Practice,” presented by faculty members Lacey Huffling, Ph.D, and Heather Scott, Ed.D. as well as students Elissa Blount, Gabby Coumes, Regina Collins, CJ Elmore, Britt Gantt, and Jonathan Riggins
• “Citizen Science: Collaboration that Authenticates Scientific Practice,” presented by students Regina Collins, Britt Gantt, Melissa Weeks and COE faculty members Heather Scott, Ed.D., and Lacey Huffling, Ph.D.

Faculty members also presented the following:

• “Okefenokee Swamp, TriState Water Conflict, and the Deepwater Horizon Event: Leveraging Water as a Tool to Engage Students in Problem-Based Learning,” presented by COE faculty members Lacey Huffling, Ph.D., and Heather Scott, Ed.D.

During the GSTA conference, board election results were also announced. College of Education’s Institute for Interdisciplinary STEM Education (i²STEM^e) Coordinator Kania Greer was appointed as the College Representative for the GSTA Board.