Workshop for science, mathematics faculty held at Steelcase

More than 20 faculty members in mathematics and the sciences from Grand Valley and other area colleges and universities participated in a "Learning by Inquiry" workshop held July 15 at the LearnLab at Steelcase Corporation, on 44th Street in Grand Rapids.

The workshop was sponsored by Grand Valley’s Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education and the Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center; participants focused on guided inquiry teaching, learning how to facilitate a student’s construction of his or her knowledge base.

Edward Baum, professor of chemistry and CESME director, led the program. He said it was helpful to host the workshop at the Learn Lab, an advanced studio classroom designed to promote active learning, as Grand Valley’s new Honors College will house two such labs. “It helped me to think about and develop ways of effectively using the lab’s cutting-edge technology,” he said.

The next workshop is set for August 12. “Teaching College-Level Physics More Effectively” will be led by Brad Ambrose, associate professor of physics. For more information, call x13192 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Photo: Edward Baum, professor of chemistry and CESME director, guides workshop participants through a group project during a “Learning by Inquiry” workshop held July 15 at Steelcase Corporation in Grand Rapids / photo by Amanda Pitts