An Arcadia University School of Education alumnus is a finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and returns to his alma mater to teach a free STEM workshop for teachers.

Dylan Fedell, who earned his Master of Education (MEd) from Arcadia in 2019, has been selected as one of four Pennsylvania state finalists for the prestigious awards, which are the highest honors given by the U.S. government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching. Winners are expected to be announced by April 2024.

Fedell currently teaches physics at Palisades High School in Bucks County and is a USTRIVE (Understanding STEM Teaching Through Integrated Contexts in Everyday Life) teacher. To celebrate his accomplishments, the School of Education is hosting an “Ed Knight” on March 21 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Commons Great Room, during which Fedell will demonstrate a lesson that leverages a local debatable issue to teach both STEM and non-STEM topics.

Attendees, adopting the role of students, will participate in interactive activities that blend social justice, perspective-taking, and STEM concepts to help form and articulate their stance on the issue and develop a solution. Both future and current educators will leave with practical instructional strategies ready for classroom implementation.

The workshop will be followed by open discussion, free pizza and beverages, and a raffle. To register for the event, click here.

Led by Dr. Augusto Macalalag, associate professor of STEM at the School of Education, along with a team of university faculty, researchers, and practitioners affiliated with the Philadelphia Regional Institute for STEM Educators (PRISE, formerly the Philadelphia Regional Noyce Partnership), the USTRIVE project seeks to foster STEM knowledge and literacy with close to 3,000 students in grades 7-12 through the use of a social justice STEM framework using a socio-scientific issues approach.

The USTRIVE teachers will conduct workshops during a full-day conference at Arcadia University on Saturday, May 4, 2024, to share their units of study (e.g. Fast Fashion, is it worth its weight in water?; Is Philadelphia doing enough to go green?; and Who controls housing?). Educators and the public are welcome to attend.