CSME Exchange

An informal discussion series for faculty, instructors, and staff

The CSME Exchange provides an informal opportunity to discuss current issues in undergraduate education. Exchange discussions explore best practices, current challenges, and cross-departmental coordination and collaboration. Faculty, staff, post-docs and graduate students from all departments are welcome to participate.

While CSME coordinates the Exchange, the topics and content are driven by participants. Exchanges may follow a variety of formats, such as formal presentations, workshops, book/journal discussions, and informal roundtable discussions. Although Exchanges are generally led by UofU faculty/instructors, guest speakers from outside institutions are welcome.

To submit a topic for a future Exchange, or to volunteer to lead an Exchange, contact outreach@csme.utah.edu or call 801-585-3878. If you would like to receive notification of future Exchanges, join our email list.

2020-2021 Exchanges:

Thursday, December 10: “Remote Learning: Sharing our Experiences”. A facilitated discussion led by Gina Frey and Greg Owens (Chemistry). This virtual discussion is an opportunity for COS faculty/instructors to reflect together on their 2020 remote instruction experiences and exchange ideas and lessons learned. The main session (2-3pm) is designed for all attendees, while the introduction (1:45-2pm) and followup discussion (3-3:30pm) are geared towards individuals with no prior experience in remote instruction.
- 1:45-2pm: Introduction for individuals new to remote instruction
- 2-3pm: Facilitated discussion/reflection on 2020 remote instruction experiences
- 3-3:30pm: Key takeways and follow up discussion for individuals new to remote instruction
- Zoom connection information will be announced to our CSME Exchange email list. Didn’t receive the email? Want to join our list? Contact outreach@csme.utah.edu

Previous Exchange Topics & Speakers

2019 – 2020

2/13/20 – Reflections on Inclusivity in STEM – Elizabeth Rogers (CTLE)
1/16/20 – From Sage to Teacher, The Evolution of an Instructor (or Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks) – Jon Rainier (Chemistry)
12/5/19 – Integrating the Process of Science into the Introductory Biology Curriculum: Successes, Challenges and the Road Ahead– Naina Phadnis & Josh Steffen (Biological Sciences)
11/14/19 – UPSTEM Faculty Fellows
10/17/19 – How Do We Get There From Here? Change Management and Evidence-Based Instruction – Jordan Gerton and Jessica Cleeves (CSME)

2018-2019

12/7/18: Tabitha Buehler (Physics & Astronomy), Matt Kieber-Emmons (Chemistry), Naina Phadnis (Biology), Shellie Jo Enscoe (Ed, Leadership and Policy) – The College of Science’s Learning Assistants: Comparing Programs Nationally, Reflecting on Implementation Locally
11/15/18: Kelly MacArthur, Becky Terry and Anna Nelson (University of Utah – Math) – Teacher Training & Community Building: From Graduate Student to Colleague
10/19/18: Claudia De Grandi (University of Utah – Physics) – Managing an Effective Instructional Team: How to Support Your TAs and LAs
9/20/18: Panel Discussion: Current configurations of instructional teams in the CoS

2017-2018

4/5/18: Charles Atwood (University of Utah – Chemistry) – One Last Visit to the Effects of Homework Mediated Metacognition
2/14/18: David Derezotes (University of Utah – Social Work) – Transforming difficult conversations in science and math classrooms into opportunities for learning how to build inclusive communities
1/11/2018: Special Exchange – Pedagogical strategies to increase students’ engagement and motivation
12/7/2017: Rachel Hayes-Harb, Janis Louie, and Tino Nyawelo (University of Utah) – Working together to enhance mentorship and undergraduate research in the College of Science
11/9/2017: Mike Martineau and Scott Mikos (University of Utah OBIA) – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Utilizing Student Data
10/5/2017: Chandra Turpen (University of Maryland) – Building and Sustaining Learning Assistant Programs
9/14/2017: Leslie Sieburth (University of Utah – Biology) – Biology Curriculum Reform: it takes a village

2016-2017

4/13/2017: Pearl Sandick (University of Utah – Physics & Astronomy) – Supporting women in STEM
3/9/2017: Nalini Nadkarni and Caitlin Weber (University of Utah – Biology) – Engaging the Unengaged: Interdisciplinary Approaches that Bridge Science and Society
2/9/2017: Ann Darling (University of Utah – Undergraduate Studies) – Changes to General Education Courses
1/12/2017: Lauren Barth-Cohen (University of Utah – Education) – Possible models for a STEM education research graduate program
12/8/2016: Jennifer Heemstra (University of Utah – Chemistry) – Can we promote student success by embracing short-term failure?
11/10/2016: David Goldenberg (University of Utah – Biology) – An Integrated Science Core Curriculum? Possibilities and Challenges
10/20/2016: Charles Atwood (University of Utah – Chemistry) – Improving the Bottom Quartile’s Performance: The Key to Higher Success Rates
9/15/2016: Diane Pataki, Jordan Gerton, Holly Godsey (University of Utah) – Department-Driven Course and Curriculum Improvement RFP
8/11/2016: Karen Krapcho (University of Utah – OSP) Evaluation of “Student Voice” in a Freshman Hybrid/Flipped Classroom
6/16/2016: Pamela Hardin (University of Utah – CTLE) – Why Active Learning? Practices and Problems

2015-2016

5/12/2016: Emina Alibegovic (University of Utah – Mathematics) – Changing the culture in Math 1010
4/14/2016: David Temme (University of Utah – Biology) – How do we help students learn how to think? Perhaps by helping them expand their “common sense toolbox”!
3/10/2016: Jennifer Heemstra (University of Utah – Chemistry) – Increasing access to research opportunities through course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs)
2/11/2016: Charles Atwood (University of Utah – Chemistry) – How we have used Item Response Theory and classroom management to improve student success rates in large general chemistry classes
1/14/2016: Jordan Gerton (University of Utah – Physics & Astronomy) – Structural and pedagogical approaches to support student learning in PHYS 2210
11/5/2015: Lucy Fortson (University of Minnesota) – Education in and with the Zooniverse Citizen Science Platform