Full STEAM Ahead Educator Symposium
Over 60 teachers, teacher educators, administrators, professors, college students, and community members attended Centenary’s inaugural Full STEAM Ahead Educator Symposium on February 8 & 9, 2024. This year’s theme was “Kinetic Connections” and focused on building networks for science, technology, engineering, art, and math instruction in the region. Hosted by the Department of Education and Center for Teaching and Learning, the symposium provided professional development and networking opportunities, bringing together educators from across disciplines and grade levels to share innovative teaching strategies and research.
Featured speakers included Kevin Nolten of the Cyber Innovation Center and Dennis “DJ” Pevey, Louisiana High School Teacher of the Year (2024) and Class of 2010 alumnus. A hands-on session from Destination Imagination and Tom Daniel’s “Mr. Wizard STEAM Magic Show” offered educators a chance to develop interactive classroom techniques and blend science with storytelling. Shreveport-Bossier community leaders from Sci-Port, NWLA Makerspace, Shreveport Green, and Milam Street Kitchen Incubator shared opportunities for collaboration and connection between their organizations and local schools.
“Louisiana’s educational community must answer the call to prepare a new generation of creative, critical thinkers committed to the value of inquiry and experiential learning,” said Dr. Terrie Johnson, assistant professor and chair of the education department at Centenary. “We were grateful to receive a grant from The STEM Collective for Innovative Louisiana Stakeholders (SCILS) Region 8 LaSTEM Center for this event. We’re excited to be partners in their mission to meet the critical need for science, technology engineering and math learning and job skills in our region.”
Both faculty and student researchers represented Centenary from a variety of departments and programs including elementary and secondary education, biology, neuroscience, English, physics, psychology, theater, and music. Several alumni returned to campus to attend and present, including Marco Reyes ‘10 (Rusheon Middle School), Regina Salvatore Digilormo ‘12 (Bossier Parish School for Technology and Innovative Learning), and Scott Isaacs ‘00 (University of Rochester Medical Center - Wilmot Cancer Institute). The symposium’s youngest presenters joined us from Shreve Island Elementary accompanied by their teacher, Katie Chirhart, to share their research about NASA’s Moon Tree Project.
“What was really special about this year’s symposium was seeing all of the opportunities and possibilities for working together to enhance STEAM education in NWLA,” said Dr. Rachel Johnson ’08, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Centenary. “There are so many talented professionals and brilliant minds right here in Shreveport-Bossier. I was able to make new friends and revive existing connections with folks across disciplines. I’m looking forward to attending this event every year and imagining new ways Centenary can serve our local community.”
Next year’s event will take place on February 27 and 28, 2025, and will feature a keynote address from professor and podcaster, Dr. Joel Amidon. In celebration of Centenary’s Bicentennial and in the spirit of the College’s “Bold at the Bicentennial” strategic plan, the 2025 conference will encourage attendees to boldly imagine the future of STEAM education in our area. Our mission: To explore new frontiers. To seek out new ideas and innovations. To boldly go where we haven’t gone before!
— Dr. Rachel Johnson ’08 and Dr. Terrie Johnson