Discussions, discoveries and explorations…

Thus far, the journey has involved numerous opportunities to participate in a wide variety of thoughtful and thought-provoking experiences and conversations. I’ve been travelling quite a bit during May, June and July in order to fulfill several professional commitments.

Several of you have inquired about other things I’m doing related to and apart from STEAM research. I look at all my work, teaching-instruction-research, as a “360 degree” organizational design with many interrelated parts contributing to deeper knowledge, understanding and application of teaching and learning. In this view STEAM is part of a global dialogue and presentation of interdisciplinary ideas that involves creative and innovative ways of utilizing project design, deep thinking, entrepreneurial enterprise, and collaborative team effort.

Being engaged in other pursuits and activities provides a multi-dimensional view of how STEAM can be integrated into further scientific and artistic conversations. It takes a little imagination to see “these connections,” but the following are additional experiences related to my further knowledge on “the journey.”

May event

• Keynote speaker at the Gamma Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International’s ‘Bringing Social Studies Alive’ workshop in Augusta, Maine. Topic of the address was “Weaving a Tapestry of Inclusion, Social justice, and Civil/Human Rights.” The presentation provided teachers and educators with a “360-degree” interdisciplinary K-12 curricular and instructive perspective and approach related to diversity, multicultural education and sustaining inclusive communities in addressing the many issues and challenges facing our schools and world today.

June events

• Instructor teaching “Experiencing Diversity” summer college course for Maranacook High School students, from Readfield Maine – 4th year I’ve taught the course working with in partnership with the Academic Support Services Program at Thomas College.

• Keynote Speaker and Workshop Session, Thomas College, Center for Innovationin Education Jun 26-28. Keynote presentation topic:“Griots, Kupunas, and Navigators: Creating and designing life experiences that cultivate and nurture a person from childhood through adulthood." Presentation address focused on “creating a sense of community” and “platforms of learning, dialogue, understanding and knowledge” that are inclusive by design as well as diverse in construct and organization. Workshop session examined “More Journeys, Explorations and Adventures in 360-degree teaching and learning” focusing on designing and invoking “communities of inquiry” that are open for ideas associated with engagement, curiosity, problem-solving, interactive thinking, and mindful reflection.

• Also pleased to announce that a new book, “Effective Teaching; Educators Perspective of Meaning Making in Higher Education,” edited by Shelley B. Harris, Texas A & M University has been released for publication. The book discusses various aspects of teaching, and asks the following questions: What is effective teaching and what pedagogical models are being used in teacher education and evaluation? I was asked to submit a chapter for the book --- the title is “Weaving a Tapestry of Multigenerational Effective Teaching Practice.” The chapter explores whether defining the characteristics of each generation is most important or whether the merits of people within the context of teaching and instruction in schools is the bigger issue.

I’ve returned back to the California for a final set of STEAM discussions at U.C. San Diego. Looking forward to the next phase of the journey!