Past Highlights
Data Science Curriculum Development Course - Spring 2026
STAT 6075: In this course, we will focus on designing and implementing data sciences tasks in the secondary mathematics classroom. We'll explore data science standards in Utah's revised K-12 mathematics core and use research-based insights on data science education to guide our task development and implementation. Additionally, we'll leverage structured frameworks to craft lesson plans, practice and reflect on our pedagogical strategies, and apply diverse methods to assess student performance on these tasks. This course offers practical experience and essential support from faculty to help you effectively integrate data science investigations into your own class.
Utah State University Master Teacher Fellows and faculty made a strong showing at the 2026 Utah Council of Teachers of Mathematics (UCTM) conference
Engagement in this statewide event brings together the most dedicated mathematics educators from all corners of Utah. Carrie Bala, Shaun Micheal Bartschi, Brennan Bean, Tye Winterton, Tyler Haslam, Sindura Kularajan, and Julisa Gonzales all presented.
USU Fellows Spotlight for Community Engagement in Data Science and Mathematical Modeling
Tyler Haslam led two workshop sessions at the UCTM Conference alongside his teaching colleagues from across the state. In Session 1: Engaging Students Through Data Science, Tyler and his team led Linguini, Tying Knots, and Ruler Reflex activities. In Session 2: Modeling the World and Joy in Algebra, these teacher leaders made the case that "Students learn the bits of algebra (e.g., families of functions, etc.)" but often these "bits feel useless, disconnected, and forced" for students. To reenvision the teaching of algebra, they proposed three Data Science activities that connected content in relevant contexts and integrated coding with Jupyter Notebooks. Contact thaslam@graniteschools.org for session activities and access to their CourseKata Canvas page.
Engaging Student in Mathematical Modeling as an Active Form of Assessment
Julisa Gonzales from InTech Collegiate Academy in Logan, Ut discussed best practices for engaging students in Mathematical Modeling at the UCTM Conference. As a novel form of active assessment, she developed and implemented the activity: From Bottles to Models. She shared her 10th grade students' learning outcomes and reflections. One student remarked, "I liked that it didn't have as rigid of as structure as a normal test would have and that it required more creativity". Contact jgonzales@intechacademy.org for these active assessment materials.
USU Fellows Spotlight for Leadership
Brooklyn Wilde received Utah's Outstanding Educator Award. Hannah Wilkowske became a representative of Eastern Utah serving in leadership.
Data Science Course - Fall 2025
STAT 6070. This course provides an introduction to data science with an aim of preparing educators to be able to deliver introductory courses in Data Science. An introduction to data science requires learning key tools and principles from mathematics, statistics, and computer science. Participants will also research, analyze, and develop pedagogical theory and practice to design data science learning experiences for their students.
STEAM Expo and Teacher Workshop, Uintah Basin - October 2025
Noyce Summit - July 14-16, 2025
Dr. Sindura Kularajan and Fellows, Joseph Runs Through and Ramsey Seweingyawma, had the opportunity to attend the 2025 Noyce Summit in Washington DC, Impacting STEM Students in Rural, Urban, and Indigenous Schools: Strategies for Teacher Success.
Technology Workshop - June 2025
All our Master Teacher Fellows participated in the technology training, facilitated by Dr. Brennan Bean.
STEAM Expo and Teacher Workshop, Blanding Campus - April 3-5, 2025
Western Regional Noyce Network Conference - February 2025
Master Teacher Fellows Ana Thompson, Lane Tait, and Shaun Bartschi joined Brynja Kohler in San Diego for this annual conference. The WRNN aims to support the professionald development of Noyce Scholars through a sense of community and shared purpose.
Shaun Bartschi presented on the research activity of his AP Statistics class with NASA-funded AWE (Atmospheric Gravity Waves) Science Mission team.
Mathematical Modeling and Curriculum Development Course - Spring 2025
Math 6910: In this course, we focused on designing and implementing mathematical modeling tasks. We explored the role of modeling in the mathematics curriculum, as outlined in policy documents, and use research-based insights on modeling education to guide our task development and implementation. Additionally, we leveraged structured frameworks to craft lesson plans, practice and reflect on our pedagogical strategies, and apply diverse methods to assess student performance on these tasks. This course offered practical experience and essential support from faculty to help you effectively integrate mathematical modeling into your own classroom.
STEAM Expo and Teacher Workshop, Uintah Basin - October 2024
Don Busenbark coordinated an action-packed STEAM Expo for 1,100 local students, showcasing opportunities, curiosities, and resources.
Master Teacher Fellows Victoria Marsh and Tyler Haslam joined Brennan Bean in leading an introduction to Data Science for local teachers and faculty.
Particpants enjoyed hearing from local speakers Marilyn Cuch and Maygen Simms. Colleagues also enjoyed meals together and an excursion to view the petroglyphs at McConkie Ranch.
Mathematical Modeling Course - Fall 2024
Math 6810: In this course, you will learn how to use mathematical modeling to solve real-world problems. Specifically, you will learn how to build and analyze mathematical models to represent real-world phenomena. This course is designed to provide you with the essential tools and insights necessary to analyze and predict the behavior of real-world phenomena. It highlights the practical application of mathematics in tackling prevalent local issues and prepares you to effectively teach mathematical modeling in educational settings.
DRUMM Orientation - 2024
All 24 of our Master Teacher Fellows participated in orientation events in Blanding, Roosevelt, and Zoom, including sessions focused on team-building, program details, mathematical modeling, realistic mathematics education, and local community connection events.
Noyce Summit - 2024
Dr. Brynja Kohler and Dr. Jessi Lajos had the opportunity to attend the 2024 Noyce Summit in Washington DC. This summit was centered around the preparation and retention of skilled & compassionate STEM teachers for high need-schools. Pictured are conference participants playing Tsìdìł, colloquially known as the Navajo Stick Game (find more resources on Diné “Navajo” culture at media.sjsd.org).