Humanizing Online STEM Academy
A California Education Learning Lab funded project administered by the Foothill-DeAnza (FHDA) Community College District
Partner Institutions
STEM Faculty from California partner institutions listed below are eligible to apply for 2022-2023 cohorts.
Grow Partners
Cal Poly Humboldt, CSU Channel Islands, Foothill College, Kern Community College District, Modesto Junior College, Saddleback College, Southwestern College
Seed Partners
Butte College, CSU Fresno, Cuyamaca College, Grossmont College, Mesa College, Sierra College, Ventura 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
- Seed partner faculty will receive an $1,800 grant-funded stipend (issued in the form of a check from FHDA)
- Grow partner faculty will receive an institutionally funded incentive (please check with your institution for more information)
The Academy is organized into six, one-week modules comprised of the following topics.
2022-2023 Cohort Dates
Fall 2022 Cohort
- FULL! October 10 – November 20
Spring 2023 – Apply by October 31, 2022
Faculty from Kern CCD, Cal Poly Humboldt, and Saddleback must complete the Academy in Spring 2023.
- February 6 – March 19, 2023 – Kern, Humboldt, Saddleback only
- March 6 – April 16, 2023
- May 22 – July 2, 2023
Testimonials
"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!"
"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."
"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."
"Don’t keep this course a secret! All faculty need a chance to take it! Organized, research-based training like this is pure gold."
"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."
"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.
