The University of Nevada, Reno’s NevadaTeach program cohosted the annual UTeach STEM Educators Conference on May 20-22. Events included an opening panel discussion on the importance of fostering students’ sense of belonging in STEM education, breakout sessions, a poster presentation and awards ceremony, an alumni mixer and a closing keynote about the potential to use AI to foster equity in STEM classrooms.  

This was the first time the conference had been held in a location other than Austin, Texas. The conference hosted STEM educators, students and alumni from across the country. NevadaTeach has historically had a strong presence at the conference, with students, alumni and Master Teachers presenting and sharing their work.

UTeach Assistant Director for Communications and Network Support Amy Winters was pleased with the conference’s success in a new location and the quality of collaboration with the University. 

“I think this event has gone very, very well, all because of the influence of NevadaTeach,” Winters said. “They helped us organize everything. They brought some wonderful students to present posters and help us out at the conference. All their faculty came, and it was beautiful. Their sessions were wonderful.”  

Glenn Waddell, Jr., Ph.D., was awarded the USEA Special Award.

Glenn Waddell, Jr., Ph.D., NevadaTeach associate professor, was awarded a USEA Special Award for “exceptional leadership representing NevadaTeach as co-host of the UTeach STEM Educators Conference.” In addition to helping plan the conference, Waddell also organized field trips for convention attendees to visit the NevadaTeach space and the W. M. Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum at the University. 

“I was thrilled to serve as USEA co-chair for the programming committee and be able to bring the conference to Reno,” Waddell said. “It was so wonderful to show the UTeach community the exciting happenings at the University of Nevada, Reno, the College of Education & Human Development and the College of Science. This opportunity doesn't come very often, and it was fantastic to showcase our incredible faculty, staff and students at the conference.”

“This was an exciting event, and we were honored to be UTeach's first host site outside of Texas,” Easton-Brooks said. “I am proud that our College has had the opportunity to host three STEM education related conferences over the past two years.”  

For the College of Education & Human Development, the conference served as more than an opportunity to enrich students and faculty. It also offered a chance to look ahead to the future of the NevadaTeach program. During his welcome message, Donald Easton-Brooks, Ph.D., dean of the College of Education and Human Development, noted that the NevadaTeach program is continuously expanding, and invited those present to consider teaching or studying in the program in the years to come. 

Dean Donald Easton-Brooks gave the welcome message at the UTEACH STEM Educators Conference.

NevadaTeach offers students an opportunity to earn a dual bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the and a STEM field from the College of Science, the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources or the School of Public Health. The program has produced 141 highly prepared graduates. Currently, NevadaTeach graduates are teaching in STEM classrooms across 11 states and internationally, with 81% teaching in Nevada.