Dr. Gregory Rushton

gregory.rushton@mtsu.edu

Dr. Greg Van Patten

Tennessee STEM Education Center

Discipline specific equipment

Fairview 201

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The Tennessee STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) Education Center (TSEC) provides services for MTSU students and faculty to enhance STEM instruction and educational research. Part of the mission of TSEC is to promote high quality STEM education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels using state-of-the-art technologies and innovative teaching techniques. Towards this end, Fairview 201 was renovated using TAF funding in 2020 to be a modular master classroom with video and audio capture as well as a next-generation smart board for classroom presentations. This recently renovated master classroom is available to TSEC, CBAS, the College of Education, the MSE Ph.D program and the MTeach programs for classes, research and data collection, or other educational events. When booked at full utilization, this classroom has the potential to serve approximately 2,500 students and faculty. Additionally, the Fairview 201 master classroom is used for professional development opportunities for K-12 educators as well as hands-on STEM engagement opportunities for K-12 students. TSEC provides these professional development opportunities to hundreds of regional educators and plans on hosting K-12 students for hands-on learning opportunities as the school systems emerge from pandemic-related restrictions. Since the 2020 renovation, TSEC has identified further technology needs to better utilize the space for research and teaching activities. To maximize the research capabilities of this space, an additional camera and a system to better capture audio and visual data are needed . Audio and video capture technology is needed at each small-group station to allow for research at the small-group level. Video recording equipment that follows the instructor around the room is also needed to improve the data collection and user experience for individuals accessing lectures online. This additional equipment will allow for easy audio and video capture for testing innovative pedagogies or facilitating synchronous and asynchronous in-class activities. These enhanced capabilities will improve teaching and make student experiences and learning better. The availability and usage of this space by research faculty has the potential to make significant changes in education that affect thousands of students beyond MTSU. Having a state-of-the-art classroom research facility could encourage further educational research and development of new innovative scholarship. Grant funding for research benefits the University as a whole, as well as providing opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to do meaningful work in research and enriching their education with real-world experience.