STEM Think-Tank a Big Hit At Harpeth Hall

Two Days Of Discussion, Calloboration Energize Educators

02/15/2008

Nashville, Tennessee -- The Harpeth Hall School hosted a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Think Tank featuring 85 educators from 31 independent girls' schools from coast to coast. During the two-day Think Tank, educators shared best practices and brainstormed ideas to encourage more girls to pursue careers in the STEM fields.

"It was a wonderful opportunity to discuss what works for girls, and to collaborate with colleagues from across the United States and Canada about issues involving science, technology, engineering and mathematics as they relate to educating young women," said Karen Douse, Harpeth Hall's Director of Library and Information Services, and chair of the Think Tank. 

Echoing Mrs. Douse were many of the participants: 

"It was a pleasure and privilege to hear the stimulating conversation of professionals who are on the cutting edge of teaching for the 21st century.  Talk about new odels/paradigms - so much to consider - really could be a curriculum revolution," added Kitty Burns, special project coordinator for engineering at The National Coalition of Girls' Schools.

"This excellent conference opened doors and and planted seeds," said Bill Pelz, 7th grade science teacher from Greenwich Academy in Connecticut.

"The STEM Think Tank was just wonderful, I enjoyed every minute of it.  I came away energized and motivated and full of terrific new ideas," said Sheri Homany, Upper School science teacher from Hathaway Brown in Ohio.

Dr. Stacy Klein was the keynote speaker for the Think Tank. Dr. Klein is the associate Dean for Outreach and associate professor of the Practice of Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt University. For the last decade, Dr. Klein has been at the forefront of developing biomedical engineering curriculum, modules and manuals for both independent and public secondary schools throughout the United States as well as at the college level.  

In 1990s, Dr. Klein was the Upper School algebra II and biology teacher at Harpeth Hall. In addition to serving as a classroom teacher, she also developed and taught Winterim courses on Cardiovascular Physiology, Engineering, and Chemistry of Nutrition. Later, she taught at another independent school, teaching courses in AP Physics, Biomedical Physics, Accelerated Physics, and Functions, Statistics and Trigonometry before joining Vanderbilt's Department of Biomedical Engineering.