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STEM Network Joins Researchers, Educators

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A past SciREN event at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Photo: SciREN

There’s still time for all science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, teachers and educators to register for the SciREN Coast 2021 online event set for 6-8 p.m. March 11.

The Scientific Research and Education Network, or SciREN, Coast event is a no-cost evening of informal conversations between educators and researchers to share ideas. Register on the SciREN website. Zoom links will be provided ahead of time to participants.

During the event, researchers will provide educators with K-12 classroom-ready lesson plans based on their current work that adheres to state and national educational standards. Those in a STEM field interested in sharing educational materials about their work and research can attend as a participant but are expected to have classroom-ready materials to hand out to educators.

These events usually are held at informal science education institutions, such as a museum or an aquarium. In years past, the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores hosted the SciREN Coast event. There also are SciREN networking events in Virginia,  Georgia, Raleigh and San Diego as well.

SciREN is a network led by graduate students to connect educators and researchers.  The goal of the network is to encourage current scientific work with educators and help enhance the science literacy of today’s youth, according to the website.

SciREN was founded in the early 2010s by graduate students, Justin Ridge and Ethan Theuerkauf at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Institute of Marine Sciences. The next year, the leadership team expanded to include students at the Duke University Marine Lab. The team now includes
members from the main campuses of UNC, Duke University, and North Carolina State University. The network includes more than 60 scientists from 15 institutions and more than 100 educators.

About Staff Report

The story was compiled by staff members of Coastal Review.

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