Adventure Learning

Students are getting out of the classroom and applying science in nature through a joint effort between the College of Education, College of Natural Resources and the McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS).

Adventure Learning is an interdisciplinary project spearheaded by assistant professor Brant Miller in collaboration with Justin Hougham, a postdoctoral fellow in the College of Science and Karla Bradley Eitel, the director of education for MOSS.

The Adventure Learning concept also works in collaboration with faculty — Susan Hogue

MacKenzie, assistant professor in recreation, and Julie Stafford Son, assistant professor in recreation and the recreation program director — in COE’s movement sciences department and other researchers across campus.

Adventure Learning at UI, or AL@UI, is focused on promoting physical activity and STEM education through expeditions where K-12 students investigate real-world issues through authentic outdoor learning environments.

The first exploration was in 2011, and educational trips have included Greenland, Taylor Wilderness

“STEM research is important for students of Idaho and students everywhere to participate in the economies of tomorrow. It will be increasingly imperative that they have the skills and literacy in science, technology, engineering and math to make good decisions, to experience discoveries and to enrich the quality of life for themselves and those around them.”

— Justin Hougham, postdoctoral fellow and Adventure Learning co-coordinator

Research Station, Brundage in McCall and MOSS, which has served as a cornerstone for water science education under Adventure Learning through Water and MOSS.

A key element of the project is to take the science and date through which students navigate and then connect to others through an online learning environment. It gives students invaluable skills through their participation online and puts into practice the marriage of science and technology by managing data and embracing collaboration. The process also helps students see how science is relevant to their lives and how it applies to local environments.

“It helps to make the science more interesting and relevant rather than having a bunch of facts thrown at them,” said Kirsten LaPaglia, director of Upward Bound Math Science.

In addition, the online environment allows data to be shared and inquiry-based curriculum to be developed. Students, teachers and content experts from throughout Idaho can communicate and collaborate in exploration of the data.

To read more about AL@Greenland, go to www.uidaho.edu/greenland

Meet Melinda Hamilton, Director of STEM Education

By Amanda Cairo

The University of Idaho has named Melinda Hamilton as the new leader of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education initiatives. Hamilton is working to coordinate the University’s numerous STEM efforts and capitalize on its significant expertise, explore future partnerships and provide leadership to ensure program growth and success.

Hamilton, who previously served as the director of educational programs at the Idaho National Laboratory, or INL, for four years, began her university appointment Oct 14.

“STEM education is an important priority for the University of Idaho, and I am pleased to have such a high quality individual such as Melinda Hamilton join our team,” said University of Idaho President M. Duane Nellis.

At the University of Idaho, STEM education has disciplinary connections to every college. This position, and its focus, is supported by U-Idaho’s college deans under the guidance of Cori MantleBromley, dean of the College of Education.

“We are pleased that Melinda Hamilton has joined the University of Idaho community and will lead our signature STEM education initiatives,” said Doug Baker, provost and executive vice president. “She will coordinate research across the university on a topic that is critical to Idaho and the nation.”

As part of her duties, Hamilton will develop and implement a long-term, strategic plan for the University of Idaho’s STEM education and research initiatives by collaborating with statewide STEM practitioners and other institutions involved in STEM education and research; providing leadership in developing interdisciplinary proposals leading to extramural funding and increasing levels for STEM educational research activities; and providing leadership in STEM recruitment and retention at the university.

“The University of Idaho is already a leader in the state, and nationally, in STEM education, but we have the opportunity to create a greater impact on several levels,” Hamilton said. “The economic impact this will have on the future of Idaho, in terms of education and business opportunities, is both exciting and endless.”

Hamilton has a strong commitment and leadership role to STEM education around the state. With INL, she established statewide relationships and programs with universities and colleges and managed all INL K-12 STEM education programs. She also set and implemented the INL vision for STEM education and coordinated with the State Department of Education, the State Board of Education, the governor’s office and the provosts, presidents and deans of the colleges of education of the three state-funded universities.

In addition, she serves as a national leader as the key interface with national STEM education organizations and sponsors, including: TIES (Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM); Change the Equation; the Multi-State STEM Network; Battelle National Laboratory STEM Network; Department of Energy’s Office of Science, Workforce Development for Teachers and Students; and the Department of Energy’s Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Education Initiatives. She also has been appointed by the governor to serve on the Idaho State Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or EPSCoR, Committee.

“Working from the industry side of STEM education, I am excited to begin laying the foundation at the University of Idaho to better prepare students and the next generation of the work force,” Hamilton said. “The university has a strong partnership with INL and I can only see it getting better.”

As a working professional, Hamilton kept academic ties throughout her career. Hamilton has served on two academic search committees at the University of Idaho, serves on several advisory boards at Idaho State University and for the state, and served as graduate adviser to a Washington State University student and a Northeastern University student while an adjunct faculty member. She also has served as a guest lecturer at Brigham Young University Idaho and University of Idaho – Idaho Falls.

Hamilton earned her doctorate in soil science, with a microbiology emphasis, at Utah State University; and her master’s degree in botany, with an emphasis in plant ecology, and bachelor’s degree in biology at University of Nevada, Reno.