More than 250 science, technology, engineering and mathematics teachers will be at Georgia Southern University for a conference designed at helping them improve their skills.
    The university will host the second annual STEM Teaching and Learning Conference on Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Nessmith-Lane Conference Center. 
    The conference aims to highlight efforts across the state to improve science, technology, engineering and math teaching and learning and promote careers in those fields. More than 250 higher education and K-12 educators will participate along with state business leaders and Rusty Griffin from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.
    “The conference will attract interest from throughout the state, particularly given not only Georgia Southern’s focus on science, technology, engineering and math, but the entire University System of Georgia,” said Tom Koballa, the dean of the university’s College of Education.
    The conference complements the University System’s STEM Initiative, which has the goal of encouraging and preparing K-12 students to earn college degrees in related fields; increasing the success of science and related majors in college; and producing more and better science and mathematics teachers for K-12 schools, which in turn will lead to increased preparation of students in science and mathematics.
    “Our hope is that this conference will bring attention to the importance of learning support and remediation to student success in STEM courses across Georgia’s institutions of higher education,” Koballa said. “This conference will provide space for showcasing and discussing the work that is happening to advance STEM teaching and learning across the state of Georgia.”
    More information about the conference funded can be found at http://stem.georgiasouthern.edu.