Physics and Astronomy Calendar

his seminar will focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education problem solving through the use of Model-Eliciting Activities. A Model-Eliciting Activity (MEA) is a real-world client-driven problem. The solution of an MEA requires the use of one or more STEM concepts that are unspecified by the problem - students must make new sense of their existing knowledge and understandings to formulate a generalizable model that can be used by the client to solve the given and similar problems. An MEA creates an environment in which skills beyond mathematical abilities are valued because the focus is not on the use of prescribed equations and algorithms but on the use of a broader spectrum of skills required for effective STEM problem-solving. Carefully constructed MEAs can begin to prepare students to communicate and work effectively in teams; to adopt and adapt conceptual tools; to construct, describe, and explain complex systems; and to cope with complex systems. MEAs provide a learning environment that is tailored to a more diverse population than typical STEM course experiences as they allow students with different backgrounds and values to emerge as talented, and that adapting these types of activities to STEM courses has the potential to go beyond "filling the gaps" to "opening doors" to women and underrepresented populations in STEM fields. Through NSF-funded grants, multiple MEAs have been developed and implemented with a nanotechnology theme. This presentation will focus on the content, implementation, and student results of two of these MEAs.