Mathematics and Science Teacher Initiative

Workshops and Forms

Recent Workshops

Summer Science Teacher Initiative

The Science Teachers Institute, held in collaboration with the Fresno State Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, brought together educators to share teaching strategies aimed at addressing climate change and environmental justice. The event highlighted the importance of integrating Indigenous and Black perspectives into the science curriculum, offering teachers practical tools to create culturally relevant and inclusive learning environments.

Golden Charter Academy (GCA), recognizing the strength that comes from diverse backgrounds, sent 15-20 faculty members to the workshop. This supports their mission of inspiring young minds with the knowledge and passion needed to create a more equitable and sustainable world. The collaboration was aligned with GCA’s commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and providing transformative learning experiences for their students.

The workshop was led by a team of distinguished specialists:

Dr. Swati Mehta (Assistant Professor, Liberal Studies, Fresno State University) brought her expertise in fostering equitable computer science participation and building capacity for culturally sustaining pedagogies in K12 and higher education spaces. With over seven years of experience, Dr. Mehta focused on integrating community-engaged partnerships and centering the experiences of historically marginalized communities in STEM education.
Dr. Mara Brady (Professor and Chair, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Fresno State) provided her knowledge on earth science and environmental sustainability. She has been a contributor to California’s public school science frameworks and is actively involved in global efforts to align pre-service science teacher training with sustainability challenges.
Dr. Karen Crozier (Founder and President, Jewel of Justice) shared her experience in advancing racial justice and equity in STEAM education, with a focus on Black and Indigenous students. As a former educator and diversity consultant, she led discussions on integrating racial and environmental justice into the classroom, drawing from her book, Fannie Lou Hamer’s Revolutionary Practical Theology.
Dr. Mario Banuelos (Associate Professor of Mathematics, Fresno State) contributed his expertise in data science and mathematical biology. His work in STEM teacher preparation, both in the U.S. and internationally, provided valuable insights into using data science for social impact and fostering sustainability in science education.
The collaborative environment fostered by these experts empowered educators to exchange ideas and co-create projects that reflected diverse cultural perspectives. Through hands-on field experiences, expert-led seminars, and collaborative curriculum development sessions, participants gained the skills and knowledge necessary to engage students in critical conversations about climate change and its disproportionate impacts on communities of color.

This event strengthened the commitment of educators to advance inclusive environmental education, leaving a lasting impact on both the teachers and the communities they serve.

Summer Science Student Coding Experience

July was nothing short of incredible for Fresno State’s Mathematics and Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI)! We had the pleasure of hosting multiple classes of students from GWC STEAAM Academy in Madera Unified School District, who joined us on the Fresno State campus for an immersive and hands-on coding experience with Dr. Mehta.

The highlight of the day was a block-based coding project that had everyone excited and engaged. Students dove into the world of coding, navigating challenges and puzzles with enthusiasm. The energy in the room was electric, especially during the presentation on growth mindset, where students learned about the importance of diversity in computer science and how it shapes the future.

As the day progressed, the excitement grew when students had the opportunity to complete Sphero coding mazes. The thrill of competition was in the air, with prizes awarded to those who successfully completed the challenges. There were lots of laughs, high-fives, and a true sense of accomplishment.

But it wasn’t just about coding; it was about connection and perspective. Students worked in groups, discussing how the knowledge they gained could impact their lives and future careers. They shared insights on how computer science could be used to solve real-world problems and make a difference in their everyday lives.

It was a day filled with inspiration, learning, and the kind of memories that will last a lifetime. A big thank you to everyone who made this day possible and to the students for bringing their curiosity and creativity to the table.

Reedley College STEM Conference

Fresno State's MSTI participated in the Reedley College STEM Conference on Saturday, April 27th, where they taught over 100 students multi-stage, block-based coding through two engaging activities: an "escape the maze" style coding game with Sphero Bolds and a head-to-head coding race with Dashbots. Students spread out across the beautiful Reedley College math building, tackling three different mazes from multiple angles. The event was filled with smiles and "aha" moments.

Dr. Mehta gave a brief presentation, emphasizing that computer science is for everyone and highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives in the field to ensure that as many voices and ideas as possible are represented. Her message was reflected in the diversity of students attending the event, who all had a fantastic time. The conference also featured prizes, swag, and fun for everyone involved.

CSET Information

Thank you for your interest in our free online workshops and courses that are designed to review the content assessed on the Single Subject CSET for mathematics and science. You will receive links and study materials from the instructor several days before the first class meeting. Please email questions regarding the science workshops to Dr. Brad Huff at bradh@csufresno.edu. Email Dr. Stefaan Delcroix at sdelcroix@csufresno.edu for math workshop information. For other MSTI-information, please email Dr. Swati Mehta at swati@csufresno.edu.

MSTI Summer and Fall 2024, Spring 2025 Workshops

Workshop Subjects, Dates & Times

September 07, 2024 - General Science (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

September 14, 2024 - Life Science (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

September 21, 2024 - Chemistry (8 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

September 21, 2024 - Earth and Space Sciences (12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

September 28, 2024 - Physics (8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.)

October 26, 2024 - General Science (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

November 02, 2024 - Life Science (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

December 07, 2024 - Chemistry ( 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

December 07, 2024 - Earth and Space Sciences ( 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

December 14, 2024 - Physics (8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.)

February 22, 2025 - General Science ( 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

March 01, 2025 - Life Science (8 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

March 08, 2025 - Chemistry (8 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

March 08, 2025 - Earth and Space Sciences (12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

March 22, 2025 - Physics (8 a.m. - 5:30)

June 07, 2025 - General Science (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

June 14, 2025 - Life Science (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

June 21, 2025 - Chemistry (8 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

June 21, 2025 - Earth and Space Sciences (12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

June 28, 2025 - Physics (8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.)

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