Presented by Amanda Sullivan, Ph.D., Associate Director, Early Childhood Technology Graduate Certificate Program, Tufts University, MA; and Kim Collazo, K–5 STEM Lab Teacher, Robbins Elementary School, NC

Sponsored by Wonder Workshop

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Why are women still drastically underrepresented in fields like computer science and engineering? When (and how) should educators focus on piquing interest of girls in these fields? Beginning as early as kindergarten, there are technologies and teaching strategies that educators can employ to ensure that children of any gender or background are given equal access to STEM. Children who are exposed to quality STEM programming at an early age demonstrate fewer gender-based stereotypes regarding STEM careers and fewer obstacles entering these fields as adults. It is critical for educators to reach girls early in order to make a lasting impact on the choices they see for themselves later in life.

In this recorded edWebinar, through personal stories and research findings shared by the presenters—a researcher who studies the gender divide in STEM and has brought robotics and engineering content to hundreds of young children in the U.S., Denmark, and Singapore, and an educator who provides weekly STEM classes to pre-K through 5th grade students—you will see the current gender divide in STEM and discover what educators can do about it. Explore technologies, teaching strategies (including no-tech approaches), and curricula that will inspire, excite, and engage the next generation of female scientists and engineers. Walk away with learning activities and role-modeling practices you can put into place to boost girls’ interest and confidence in STEM immediately after watching this edWebinar.

This recorded presentation will be of interest to preK-8 teachers, librarians, school and district leaders, and technology specialists and integrationists.

About the Presenters

Dr. Amanda Sullivan is the associate director of the Early Childhood Technology Graduate Certificate Program at Tufts University and a postdoctoral researcher with the DevTech Research Group. Her research examines how children develop gender stereotypes toward STEM and investigates strategies for increasing girls’ confidence and interest in STEM. Amanda also has a decade of experience as an educator, having taught coding, robotics, drama, and more in formal and informal learning settings. She is the co-creator of the ScratchJr Coding Cards (No Starch Press) and author of the book Breaking the STEM Stereotype: Reaching Girls in Early Childhood (Rowman & Littlefield) to be released later this year. Learn more about Amanda at amandaalzenasullivan.com

Kim Collazo has been a public school educator for 28 years. She has experience as a 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classroom teacher. She holds North Carolina licensure in regular and special education, as well as academically/intellectually gifted, has National Board Certification, and was awarded an NC State Kenan Fellowship creating multi-user immersive science games for elementary students. Her passion is integrating technology and engineering in relevant ways, and she has Level 1 Google Certification. She currently works as an elementary STEM teacher at Robbins Elementary in Moore County, NC, where she serves 430 pre-K through fifth grade students. Learn more about Kim at kimcollazo.weebly.com.

Join the Coding & Robotics K-8 community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.

Wonder Workshop creates engaging, hands-on learning tools, programming languages, and curriculum that bring STEM and coding to life for grades K-8. Robotics fosters critical thinking skills at an early age, encourages creativity, and turns students into makers rather than consumers. Wonder Workshop is the creator of the Dash and Dot robots. Let’s inspire students to be future leaders in technology. Find out more at makewonder.com