UC Links Associate Director, John Cano, was invited as a keynote speaker to participate in the first “Conference of Science and Math education: Research and Pedagogical Innovation for the 21st Century”, organized by the Masters Program in Science Education and the Research Group in Science and Mathematics Education at the Universidad del Bío-Bío in Chile. John’s participation in the conference was sponsored by the national project ‘Educa Diferente, Educa STEM’, a Chilean initiative to fortify STEM education in local communities led by a diverse team of researchers from Universidad del Bío-Bío.
In his presentation, “Iniciativas Comunitarias STEM: Experiencias del Programa UC Links” (STEM-based community-based initiatives: Experiences of the UC Links network), John shared a rich variety of examples and models of STEM-based UC Links programs that engage local students, in-service teachers, college instructors and researchers across STEM disciplines. The presentation aimed to stimulate professionals and educators to engage in informal learning activities and programs with K-12 students, depicting the wide range of possible and contextualized activities to engage in STEM practices. Broadly, the Universidad del Bio-Bio, particularly the College of Science, is working towards forming partnerships with local schools in the Ñuble region, a rural area in central Chile that is challenged by economic inequalities. The Universidad del Bío-Bío aims to strengthen the STEM curriculum and to work alongside STEM teachers to innovate and develop non-traditional learning experiences for students, to foster interest in STEM and its impact for society, and to create inclusive and equitable opportunities in STEM
