Empowerment Is the “E” in STEM

Presented by Dr. Cindy Moss, VP of Innovation, Defined Learning, LLC; and Kyndra Johnson, Executive Director of STEM and Innovation, Richardson Independent School District (TX)
Moderated by Rachel Langenhorst, Instructional Coach and Tech Integrationist, Rock Valley School District (IA); Senior Education Specialist, Mayo Clinic; and Adjunct Professor in the Master of Education Program, Northwestern College and the University of Sioux Falls

Sponsored by Mackin Educational Resources

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In this edWebinar, viewers learn how Problem-Based Learning (PBL) can serve as the infrastructure for implementing STEM with ALL students. They are exposed to research showing that PBL is a force for equity and the best way to provide social-emotional learning for students as they develop their problem-solving skills. They hear from two district leaders who used PBL and STEM to decrease the achievement gap, increase teacher retention, and improve attendance of teachers and students. They also see how PBL and STEM put the “fun” back into fundamentals.

This edWebinar is part of our Emerging Tech series on The Portrait of a Modern Learner. During the course of this year, we’ll be presenting a series of edWebinars that address the traits and skills required for today’s students to be successful both now and in life beyond school. We examine various facets of school life at all levels, leaving participants with myriad resources and immediately applicable action steps to make a student-centered modern classroom a reality.

This recorded edWebinar is of interest to K-12 teachers, education technology leaders, and school and district leaders.

About the Presenters

Dr. Cindy Moss was a high school biology, chemistry and anatomy teacher in Syracuse, NY and Charlotte, NC for 20 years. As a teacher, she won the prestigious Milken National Educator Award, considered the Oscars of Teaching. After teaching for 20 years, she assumed leadership for PreK-12 STEM for 145,000 students and 13,000 teachers in Charlotte, NC at the 17th-largest district in the U.S. She took PBL and STEM districtwide, decreasing the achievement gap in reading, math and science from 37 points to seven points in three years. This work earned the district the Broad Award, often considered the Superbowl of Urban Education. Dr. Moss is currently the VP of innovation for Defined Learning, where she serves as STEMspiration to help educators and STEM stakeholders develop a strategy to use PBL to implement STEM. Over the past 11 years, she has presented in 23 countries and every state in the U.S., with her goal to provide a way for ALL students to become the best problem solvers possible. Along the way, she was named one of the top 100 Women in STEM by U.S. News & World Report/STEM Connector, one of the top 25 Women in Diversity in STEM by Diversity Matters, and one of the top 25 Women in Business in Charlotte by the Charlotte Business Journal.

Kyndra Johnson is a chemist and the founder and Chief Innovation Officer of STEMtastic Solutions, LLC. Kyndra currently serves as the Executive Director of STEM and Innovation for Richardson Independent School District in Richardson, Texas. She was recognized in 2020 by the Global Forum for Education and Learning (GFEL) and was named in June 2021 as one of the Top 100 Educators in the country for her leadership in STEM. Kyndra, also recognized by the National Society of Black Engineers in 2019 as a STEM Hidden Figure, is a 22-year veteran in education. During her tenure, Kyndra has taught middle school science, high school chemistry and physics, and has served in numerous district roles, including science instructional coach, secondary science specialist, PreK-12 Science Coordinator, and Director of STEM. Kyndra is a member of several state and national organizations and serves on the Texas Education Agency’s STEM Ecosystem Executive Steering Committee, as well as the Region 10 ESC STEM Ecosystem Design Team. Creating and sustaining STEM for ALL culture, closing the achievement gaps for females and underrepresented students, and preparing students for their future, is her mission and purpose. Kyndra resides in Desoto, Texas, with her husband, Royce, and their two children, Jalen Royce (16 years old), and Kynslie Blair (13 years old). Kyndra is a STEMINIST, who seeks to inspire and empower young girls to pursue careers in STEM.

About the Moderator

Rachel Langenhorst is a technology integrationist and instructional coach in Rock Valley, Iowa; a senior educational specialist for Mayo Clinic; and an adjunct professor in the Master of Education program at Northwestern College and the University of Sioux Falls where she teaches courses in education technology and leadership. A 25+ year veteran in education, Rachel prides herself on being a change agent and life-long learner. Her biggest fulfillment comes in educating and empowering others through collaboration, creation, and connection. She speaks and instructs throughout the country, focusing her efforts on technology-integration strategies, individualized professional learning, and effective teaching practices. Rachel serves as an advisory board member and contributor for edWeb.net, has enjoyed participating in productions for The House of EdTech podcast and Education Talk Radio, and has been published in a variety of edtech magazines.

Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.

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