Humanizing Online STEM Academy
This was a grant funded project supported by the California Education Learning Lab, administered by the Foothill-DeAnza (FHDA) Community College District. The project ended in June 2024 and the Academy is currently not available for registration.
Cohort Dates
Applications are not currently being accepted.
Partner Institutions
During the grant project, STEM Faculty from California partner institutions listed below were eligible to apply for cohorts.
Grow Partners
Cal Poly Humboldt, CSU Channel Islands, Compton College, Foothill College, Kern Community College District, Modesto Junior College, Saddleback College, Sierra College, Ventura College
Seed Partners
Butte College, Cuyamaca College, DeAnza College, Fresno State University, Grossmont College, San Diego Mesa College,
What to Expect
The Academy:
- is six weeks long
- requires about 10 hours of time per week
- is fully asynchronous (no required Zoom sessions)
- is delivered in Canvas
- is not self-paced. One module is released each week containing content and assignments with due dates. Participants engage in asynchronous discussions.
Eligibility
STEM faculty who meet the following criteria are welcome to apply:
- Actively employed as a full-time or part-time faculty/lecturer at a partner college;
- Have taught one fully online course in their discipline at least one time from start to end;
- Teaching in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math discipline. Priority will be given to: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Math/Statistics, Computer Science, and Data Science;
- Possess good working knowledge of Canvas;
- Be willing to critically investigate one’s values, beliefs, and practices through an equity lens;
- Be open to recording videos of oneself;
- Be open to experimenting with several new digital technologies;
- Possess the following foundational digital fluency skills: the ability to navigate between multiple browser windows/tabs, use new technologies independently by following digital instructions, troubleshoot basic technology issues independently, operate a smartphone; distinguish document, image, and video file format types from each other; download files from the web and upload files from a computer
Incentive
The Academy is six weeks long and requires approximately 10 hours per week (learn more). Participants who successfully complete the Academy will receive:
- A digital badge issued by the California Community Colleges CVC/@ONE
- An $1,800 stipend (funded by the grant, your institution, or a combination of the two)
Testimonials
"One of my most valuable takeaways ... is the notion of a compassionate demander. The two concepts are not mutually exclusive - in fact, I think they go well together. By accepting late work and allowing second chances and corrections I put the emphasis on the quality of my students’ work."
"Don’t keep this course a secret! All faculty need a chance to take it! Organized, research-based training like this is pure gold."
"This Humanizing STEM Academy has been a life-changing experience - opening up my eyes in ways that I would have never imagined coming in. I am very grateful for this opportunity."
"Think of arriving with an empty tool belt... you'll leave with it full AND the knowledge that goes along with utilizing those tools for our students' benefit! I'm excited to apply all I learned and become a more 'present' instructor/facilitator/supporter in my classes."
"I received more instructor support, warm feedback and encouragement than I remember ever having in any previous class I have had online. Best professional development ... in eleven years of higher ed teaching!"
"The Humanizing Online STEM Academy allowed me to move past frantically learning new tools to examine my cultural context and teaching philosophy. At the same time, I did learn new and useful online teaching and accessibility tools. And very importantly, the facilitators are excellent role models."
"The Humanizing Online STEM Academy has completely changed for the better how I teach my online courses. The material was relevant, well supported with examples and evidence of effectiveness, and extremely well structured and enjoyable to learn."
FAQs
Funded by the California Education Learning Lab. Administered by Foothill-DeAnza Community College District. If you have any questions about this project, please contact the Lead PI, Michelle Pacansky-Brock.
