January 9, 2017

NASA astronaut will speak during state STEM conference at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Retired astronaut Buzz Aldrin will be focused on learning when he visits Purdue University to speak at this year’s Indiana STEM Education Conference.

The annual conference runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 12) in Stewart Center. This is the second year for the event, sponsored by Purdue’s College of Education, the Center for Advancing the Teaching and Learning of STEM (CATALYST), the Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.

Attendance to Aldrin’s speech and the STEM conference is by registration only.

Aldrin’s speech is scheduled to open the daylong event. The second man to walk on the moon will discuss his commitment to STEM education, his STEM education-focused foundation ShareSpace and his work advocating expeditions to Mars.

Carla C. Johnson, associate dean for engagement and global partnerships in the College of Education, said interest in this year’s event has been overwhelming.

“We are honored to have Buzz Aldrin as our distinguished guest combined with a slate of more than 80 engaging STEM education presentations,” said Johnson, chair of the conference. “This combination is an outstanding opportunity for educators across Indiana and beyond to engage in professional growth and share the great work they are doing in STEM.”

Indiana has increased momentum in K-12 STEM education over the past few years, and this event is designed to capitalize on the knowledge and experiences that have been generated to continue moving Indiana forward.

The conference workshops and presentations are split into three strands: K-12 STEM practice, STEM education research and STEM resources.

“There will be several schools from across the state presenting on their approaches to implementing STEM in their curriculum,” Johnson said. “A number of faculty from Purdue will be sharing their work in integrated STEM education.”

Attendance, which is by registration only, has grown in the Indiana STEM Education Conference’s second year. Coordinators, surprised by 600 attendees in 2016, received more than 250 additional sign-ups for this year’s event.

About Education

Purdue’s College of Education meets the challenges of educating 21st century learners by discovering what works in education. The college prepares highly qualified educators and conducts research that informs how teachers teach and students learn. With a focus on integrated P-12 STEM education and a commitment to social justice and diversity, graduates are prepared to be leaders in education, business and society.  

Writer: Brian L. Huchel, 765-494-2084, bhuchel@purdue.edu

Source: Carla C. Johnson, 765-494-0780, carlacjohnson@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Media are welcome to cover Aldrin’s speech and the conference, however he will not be available for questions or interviews before or following his speech.

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