Dr. Molly Weinburgh

District leaders and school administrators from across the country are participating in the National Science Teachers Association National Conference in Nashville at the end of March. For the second year, TCU’s Andrews Institute of Mathematics & Science Education will be highlighted as an exemplary STEM Center.

STEM–Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education, is a growing area of emphasis in school districts across the country. And NSTA offers science educators the latest information in science content, teaching strategy and research to enhance and expand professional growth.

“Over the past decade, growth in STEM jobs is estimated to be nearly three times greater than that of non-stem jobs,” said Dr. Molly Weinburgh, director of the Andrews Institute. “Educational programs such as this are important to the field, but also have value to those who work on issues including health and technology–just to name a couple.”

Presentation topics range from digital tools to STEM literature, hands-on physics to DNA, and the Andrews Institute is a prominent feature in the event’s promotional video.

“It is an honor that NSTA chose us as one of two STEM Centers in the U.S., and I look forward to attending,” said Weinburgh. “Our Ph.D. applications have doubled over the past two years; maybe in part because of positive exposure like this.”

The Andrews Institute, part of TCU’s College of Education, enhances mathematics and science programs at all educational levels. Currently, students in the Institute are researching the effect of a multimodal educational tool for fifth-graders studying aquatic food chains and examining the experience of ninth-grade students who participate in a four-week, lab-oriented chemistry course. This summer’s programming includes weeklong Citizen Science workshops for elementary, middle and high school students.