Building the Next Generation of Biologists by Increasing Representation.
Join us for an upcoming discussion hosted by the STEM Education Research Collaboratorium and Resource Research Center will feature Dr. Kristy Daniel, an associate professor within the Department of Biology at Texas State University. This event is hosted by the University of Texas at Arlington College of Education STEM-E(RC)2.
Title: Building the Next Generation of Biologists by Increasing Representation.
In order to build the next generation of biologists, we must effectively communicate science in ways that are accurate, equitable, and meaningful to learners. During this presentation, Dr. Kristy Daniel will share insights about representation from her biology education research program through three lenses: representing data, scientists, and self. In this presentation, we will follow how an initial exploration of college student tree-thinking (interpreting, comparing, and generating phylogenetic tree diagrams) has created the foundation of a much larger and more impactful research program. Dr. Danial has unraveled how learners come to understand, communicate, and generate knowledge using visual models of scientific data. Still, science is an interesting but often complicated subject to understand. And if scientists cannot successfully share their research with others, the value of our work will be lost. Effective communication is a two-way process and success is only attained when both parties have the same understanding of what is being communicated. Thus, it is critical to uncover potential barriers that can distort or destroy messaging. We can also draw upon lessons learned from representational competence and science communication to understand better how to represent self as a way to broaden participation in science. Altogether, through this work, we can begin to uncover how to build and support the next generation of biologists by increasing representation.
Dr. Kristy Daniel is an associate professor at Texas State University, a Hispanic-Serving Institution. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri in Curriculum and Instruction–Science Education and her M.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Iowa State University. Her diverse background is reflected in the courses she teaches which include Communicating Science, Professional Development in Biology Education, and Plant Taxonomy. She also runs a summer Ireland education abroad program, focusing on Irish biodiversity and conservation, that offers students field biology experience.
It can be frustrating when what scientists say is not always what learners understand. As a Biology Education Researcher, Dr. Daniel has led investigations that have identified challenging areas of cognitive conflict for learners, specifically concerning socio-scientific issues, that create gaps in understanding. This research has led to the development of methods to build effective communication strategies that improve learning, motivate engagement, and broaden participation in science.
Event Details - RSVP for Free
• What: STEM-E(RC)2 Speaker Event, Building the Next Generation of Biologists by Increasing Representation.
• When: March 27, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Where: 009 and 010 Trimble Hall, located at 700 S. West St. Arlington, TX, 76010, on the UTA campus. To access the center, take the elevators located in the Trimble-Hammond Hall Complex down to Floor B.
• Cost: The event is free, but registration is required.
• Virtual Option: Click here to join the meeting.