Description of the Webinar:
Unlock the potential of running an impactful youth science program! Join the Midwest Big Data Innovation Hub’s Data Science Student Group Webinar Series where J.D. Graham and panelists Tami McDonald, Jessica Braun, John Daniels, Paige Duncan, and Asanti Ahmed discuss lessons learned from organizing and implementing youth science enrichment programs. This session is packed with insights from experienced educators. Learn best practices for organizing and implementing successful STEM summer camps, workshops, and after-school programs.
Gain valuable insights on:
- • Program organization and planning
- • Curriculum development and delivery
- • Engaging students and fostering their interest in STEM
Date and Recording:
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
1:30–2:30 p.m. CT
Presenters:
Dr. Tami McDonald is a microbiologist and evolutionary geneticist specializing in the evolution of symbioses in fungi, plants, and bacteria. She uses techniques from phylogenetics, genetics, genomics, epigenetics, and molecular biology to understand nutrient-exchange molecules and pathways. Her work focuses on the transport of nitrogen and carbon between symbiotic partners. Since joining the faculty at St. Catherine University in 2014, Dr. McDonald has welcomed student collaborators to participate in independent projects related to reconstructing the evolutionary history of a protein family responsible for the transport of ammonium across cell membranes as well as other projects relating to nutrient transport and symbiotic life.
Jessica Braun is an experienced higher-education professional passionate about social justice. Combining her administrative, finance, and event-coordination expertise, she supports underserved communities through her work at universities. Currently, she assists the Division Chair at St. Catherine University, fostering positive change in academia.
Dr. John Daniels has been Director of the Actuarial Science Program at Central Michigan University since 2007. He earned his Engineering Degree from General Motors Institute, an MBA degree from Purdue University, and his PhD in Statistics from Western Michigan University in 2003. His research interests include innovative teaching of statistics and sports analytics, especially baseball.
Paige Duncan works with researchers to develop educational programming for children in our community in collaboration with the Beckman Institute; Cancer Center at Illinois; Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE); and National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). The outreach group is called Illinois Science Explorers (I-Sci Explorers) and its goal is to reach the community with the science research being done on campus.
Asanti Ahmed is an undergraduate student at St. Catherine University majoring in Biology. Asanti has worked work as a Laboratory Assistant and STEM Summer Camp Counselor. She has been involved with multiple academic projects, including comparative genomics, inclusive healthcare, nutrient impact on urban water bodies, and green-chemistry solutions.