University of Kentucky Department of STEM Education

12/01/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Lenora McGrath and to Dr. Jennifer Daddysman for successfully defending each of their dissertations!

11/24/2025

Huge congratulations to Shane Campbell!! Shane successfully defended his doctoral dissertation which focused on the impact of integrated STEM experiences for preservice elementary teachers. Well done, Dr. Campbell!

08/08/2025

🚨 Join a Community Conversation on Water in Appalachia! 🚨
The University of Kentucky, in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), is hosting focus groups to hear from YOU about local water and wastewater issues, job needs, and a free cybersecurity training opportunity.

📍 Serving communities across Appalachia
💻🚶🏻‍♂️ Join via Zoom, hybrid, or in-person
🎓 Earn up to 3 CEU hours (drinking water/wastewater operators)
🎁 Four $25 gift card drawings during each session
🔐 Optional cybersecurity training follows each focus group

🗓 Pick your session & register today:
👉 https://forms.gle/czpnpqEBEcnok5p98

✅ Must be 18+ to participateHelp shape the future of training and support in Appalachian communities!

07/29/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Johnathan Rogers for successfully defending his dissertation study- “Examining the Professional Noticing Skills, Attitudes Toward Mathematics, and Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching of Preservice Elementary School Teachers Through the Noticing Numeracy Now intervention”.

04/03/2025

Our SEM 110 students, along with Dr. Sahar Alameh, hosted six amazing middle and high school science and math teachers today. Each shared their journey into teaching, classroom stories, and advice for future educators.

Mrs. Alicia Thomas, Science Teacher & GoTeachKY Ambassador
Mrs. Nikki Fox Webb, Biology Teacher & UK STEM Ed Alumna
Mr. Adam Wilkinson, Math Teacher & Basketballl Coach
Mrs. Sarah Wi******er, Middle & High school Teacher, and an awesome Math educator
Mrs. Brittany Phelps & Mrs. Abbi Parham are both Math Teachers & also UK STEM Ed Alumna

Huge thanks to all our panelists for inspiring future STEM teachers and building community across schools and the university!

03/31/2025

Two great professional learning events coming up in April! One is on 4/8 focused on program recruitment for those in higher education and the other on 4/16 for early career educators to hear stories across the SEC schools about other teacher preparation and early career experiences. Please plan to attend!

02/23/2025

📢 UK STEM Freshmen & Sophomores – We Need Your Input! 🔬📚

Are you, or do you know a freshman or sophomore in a STEM field at the University of Kentucky? Do you have 10-15 minutes to share your thoughts on STEM career pathways, especially teaching? Your voice can help us understand and improve STEM education!

🔹 Who can participate?
✔️ UK STEM freshmen & sophomores (18+)
✔️ Interested in STEM careers, teaching, or exploring options

🔹 Why take the survey?
✅ Help shape STEM teaching pathways
✅ Contribute to research on STEM career interests
✅ Fully confidential & takes just 10-15 minutes

📲 Scan the QR code below or click here to participate: https://forms.gle/KuAV4GVw332KXiQr6
Your input matters! Let’s build a stronger STEM future together. 🚀

11/19/2024

🚨 We're Hiring!🚨

Come work with us as part of our team at the NSF-funded ESCAPE Center! As the Head of Teaching, Training, and Outreach, Dr. Sahar Alameh is excited to announce an opening for a Research Translation & Talent Development Specialist.

https://engr.uky.edu/pandemic-escape

📍 Location: Lexington, KY (Remote-friendly)
💼 Full-Time Staff Position
💡 Focus: STEM Education, workforce development, and environmental science initiatives

Bring your skills in education, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement to help shape the future of STEM learning and public health!

📝 Applications due by 1/26/2024

🔗 Apply Here: https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/560439

📣 Share with anyone who might be interested!

The Research Analyst/Research Translation & Talent Development Specialist will support education and workforce development initiatives in environmental science and STEM education, building relationships with schools, local governments, and other stakeholders. This role involves coordinating training...

11/05/2024

Huge congratulations to Ashley Wilkirson for the successful defense of her Master's thesis - Exploring Elementary Teachers' Self-Efficacy and Propensity for Teaching STEM. Outstanding work Ashley!!!

09/25/2024

Come be a part of something special at UK!

The Department of STEM Education in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky invites applications for an Open Rank Position in STEM Education with an emphasis and/or concentration in Secondary Mathematics Education – STEM Education. The position is regular title series, tenure-eligib...

09/10/2024

Teaching science is a lot more than teaching facts. Today, our high school science preservice teachers deconstructed the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices with Dr. Sahar Alameh to explore what science & engineers do & how we can teach our future generations how science works!

09/03/2024

Dr. Alameh in the news!!

"Berry and the NSF ESCAPE team will also work with Sahar Alameh, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the College of Education, to develop curricula for students to tackle misinformation about diseases, pandemics and viruses. Alameh’s research focuses on helping students better understand scientific phenomena and supporting teachers in that work."

The University of Kentucky is one of four institutions supported with this award. Pigman College of Engineering’s Scott Berry will lead the newly established NSF Pandemic Environmental Surveillance Center for Assessing Pathogen Emergence (NSF ESCAPE).