
PKAL Regional Network
2021 Capital PKAL Regional Network Spring Conference
Diverse Tools for Diverse Students: Interdisciplinary STEM Education to Increase Accessibility, Inclusion, and Success
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A Virtual Conference hosted by University of Maryland, Baltimore County
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
Project Kaleidoscope and University of Maryland, Baltimore County are pleased to announce the 2021 Capital PKAL Regional Network Spring Conference: “Diverse Tools for Diverse Students: Interdisciplinary STEM Education to Increase Accessibility, Inclusion, and Success.” This virtual conference will be held via Cisco WebEx.
Keynote Speaker

Dr. Viknesh (Vic) Sivanathan, Program Officer at Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science Education Alliance will deliver the keynote, "Collaborating with Undergraduates for an Engaging Education." Dr. Sivanathan is a member of the Science Education Department at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), the largest private funder of undergraduate science education reform in the US. At HHMI, Dr. Sivanathan manages the Science Education Alliance (SEA). The SEA supports a nationwide community of 2-year and 4-year college and university faculty members to integrate research as an integral component of early undergraduate science curricula and to develop their undergraduate students as contributors of scientific discoveries. By doing so, the SEA aims to offer undergraduate students an engaging science education that promotes their persistence in the sciences. Dr. Sivanathan will discuss incorporating research directly in classroom settings.
Conference Themes
Oral presentations and concurrent workshops, will explore new ideas on the following themes:
- outcomes for diverse student populations.
- Infusion of art and humanities into STEAM curricula.
- Co-curricular interventions to foster inclusion and promote student success in STEM.
- Best practices for accessibility in STEM education.
Agenda - for a detailed schedule click HERE.
9:00 AM | Overview of day |
9:15 AM | Opening Remarks Dr. Hrabowski, President UMBC |
9:30 - 10:30 AM | Plenary Talk Dr. Viknesh Sivanathan |
10:30 - 10:45 AM | Coffee break |
10:45 - 11:15 AM | Concurrent Sessions 1 |
11:20 - 11:50 AM | Concurrent Sessions 2 |
12:00 - 1:00 PM | Lunch Non-Tenure Track Faculty Listening Session |
1:00 - 1:30 PM | Concurrent Sessions 3 |
1:30 - 2:00 PM | Concurrent Sessions 4 |
2:00 - 2:30 PM | Concluding remarks |
Registration
The 2021 Capital PKAL Regional Network Spring Conference is generously sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in support of STEM faculty. Total registration is limited to 140 participants.
****Non-tenure track and adjunct faculty are encouraged to register and attend a special session offered during the lunch hour.****
This listening session will serve to inform the future ways in which PKAL can ensure that the professional development needs of our non-tenure track colleagues are met. The session is limited to 26 non-tenure track/adjunct faculty. Click HERE to register as Adjunct faculty.
Deadline: March 12, 2021
Conference Host
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s commitment to innovative teaching, relevant research, and supportive community empowers and inspires inquisitive minds. UMBC combines the learning opportunities of a liberal arts college with the creative intensity of a leading research university, and is known globally for inclusive excellence. Retrievers come to UMBC from around the world to explore every angle of today’s pressing questions, to reach together toward big breakthroughs, to claim their futures, and to extend beyond their comfort zones to have a far-reaching impact.
Additional Information
For additional information about the 2021 Capital PKAL Regional Network Spring Conference, please contact:
Conference Chair
Lucie Blauvelt
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
[email protected]