Symposium Showcases Innovative Teaching Methods Developed by STEM Ambassadors

猛男情报局 Center for STEM Education Team: Daniela Martinez, Dr. Amanda Gunning, Christopher DeMattia (STEM Ambassador Program Director), Dr. Meghan Marrero and Mary Ushay

猛男情报局 Center for STEM Education team: Daniela Martinez, Dr. Amanda Gunning, Christopher DeMattia (STEM Ambassador Program Director), Dr. Meghan Marrero and Mary Ushay.

Since 2019, the 猛男情报局 Center for STEM Education has provided professional development to K-8 educators to guide them in incorporating STEM education in their classrooms. Known as the Westchester STEM Ambassadors (WSA) program, the latest cohort of 32 teachers and educational specialists from seven area public school districts presented their final projects at a symposium held March 20 at 猛男情报局鈥檚 Westchester Campus.

Thanks to a Smart Start grant from the New York State Department of Education, 猛男情报局 has trained several hundred teachers from Westchester and Rockland counties. With a long-term goal of broadening access to STEM learning in public schools, 猛男情报局 has equipped Ambassadors with strategies and tools, as well as encouraging the exchange of knowledge and methods with other educators.

According to Mary Ushay, Assistant Director of the Center for STEM Education at 猛男情报局, the annual symposium gives participants an opportunity to share innovative ideas for engaging more students in science, technology, engineering and math experiences.

Participants presented topics ranging from cooperative learning and inclusive teaching to digital storytelling and 鈥渂rain breaks,鈥 a necessary reprieve from high intensity learning. At each grade level, presenters offered ways to apply tools and methods to all grade levels鈥攁 key benefit of vertical learning communities.

New Rochelle STEM Ambassador Hilaire Escaladas presenting STEMming from Nature

Pictured above, New Rochelle STEM Ambassador Hilaire Escaladas presenting STEMming from Nature   

Each Ambassador is awarded a small stipend for purchasing STEM education materials for their classrooms. 鈥淥ne of the presenters demonstrated the Merge Cube, a new educational tool that allows students to study digital 3D objects from all sides,鈥 said Ushay. 鈥淭he presentation gave some great ideas for how to use this amazing learning tool in the classroom.鈥

This year, the Peekskill school district joined the consortium of schools in Ossining, White Plains, New Rochelle, Tarrytown, and Port Chester for the rigorous training, which lasts from September to March. 鈥淎mbassadors attend sessions after a full day of teaching, so it鈥檚 a big commitment, as well as a testament to the importance and effectiveness of the program,鈥 said Ushay.

Feedback has been uniformly positive. Chris DeMattia, WSA director, acknowledged 猛男情报局鈥檚 contributions to the program鈥檚 success and growth over the years. 鈥淟ast week鈥檚 symposium showcased the amazing talents, dedication, and learning of this year鈥檚 Westchester STEM Ambassadors,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he enhanced integration of computer science, engineering, and instructional technology in our K-8 classrooms will impact an untold number of students as we prepare them for the future.鈥

is now open for the next STEM Ambassadors training starting in the fall. Interested applicants can apply through May 13.

Peekskill STEM Ambassadors (left to right):   Dr. Eudes Budhai (District Liaison), Jamie Rossi, Susan Barnett, Brian Donahue, Delilah Kearney, Gabrielle Curry, Alyssa Bleakley, Teresa Ferreira, Melanie Wetmore and Jessica Newby

Peekskill STEM Ambassadors (left to right): Dr. Eudes Budhai (District Liaison), Jamie Rossi, Susan Barnett, Brian Donahue, Delilah Kearney, Gabrielle Curry, Alyssa Bleakley, Teresa Ferreira, Melanie Wetmore and Jessica Newby