The UTA College of Education STEM-E(RC)² Professional Development & Workshops are designed to support educators in enhancing their skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. These sessions emphasize research-based strategies, equity, and real-world classroom application to improve student learning outcomes. Participants engage in hands-on activities, collaborative learning, and innovative teaching practices tailored to diverse learning environments. The program aims to empower teachers to create inclusive, effective, and engaging STEM experiences for all students.
Speaker: Dr. Jessica Mostacedo, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Higher Education, Adult Learning, and Organizational Studies (HEALOS), UTA College of Education
Title: Introduction to R: The Data-Intensive Research Workflow
Abstract: This hands-on workshop introduces participants to R and the data-intensive research workflow, emphasizing reproducible research practices. Based on the Learning Analytics in STEM Education Research (LASER) Institute materials, participants will engage in a guided code-along to learn basic R coding. The session blends conceptual overviews with practical exercises, preparing attendees to work with data in a reproducible way. No prior programming experience is required, but R and RStudio should be installed beforehand to fully participate.
Bio: Dr. Silvia-Jessica Mostacedo-Marasovic is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Higher Education, Adult Learning, and Organizational Studies Department at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). Her research focuses on STEM education, with an emphasis on environmental sciences across K–16 and professional development. She uses mixed-methods approaches in Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER) and project evaluation and is currently leading a study applying social network analysis to examine collaboration in education. She holds a PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences DBER from UTA, where her dissertation focused on water literacy across formal education settings.
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Speaker: Dr. Maricela León, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Teacher and Administrator Preparation (TAP), UTA College of Education
Title: AI-Assisted, Not AI-Driven: A Bilingual Teacher’s Pedagogical Reasoning in Math Instruction
Abstract: This work examines how a bilingual elementary teacher integrates ChatGPT into mathematics lesson design. Drawing on pedagogical content knowledge and systemic functional linguistics, we show how AI cannot fully replace teachers’ practices and funds of knowledge. Instead, through intentional prompt engineering, the teacher tailors AI to meet the mathematical and linguistic needs of emergent bilinguals. Findings underscore the teacher’s active role in shaping AI to refine vocabulary, syntax, and activities, ensuring instructional design aligns with disciplinary literacy goals. The study affirms that in STEM-related instruction, the value of AI as a resource is strongly linked to teachers’ expertise and knowledge.
Bio: Dr. León is an educational researcher with expertise in multilingual education, raciolinguistics, STEM instruction, and dual language immersion (DLI) programs. A former bilingual math and science teacher, instructional coach, and DLI program coordinator in North Texas public schools, Dr. León brings deep practitioner insight to her academic work. Her research explores the intersection of language, race, and science education, with recent publications examining translanguaging in STEM, digital language ideologies, and the pedagogical use of AI tools like ChatGPT to support students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
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Speaker: Dr. Jessica Mostacedo, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Higher Education, Adult Learning, and Organizational Studies (HEALOS), UTA College of Education
Title: Introduction to Learning Analytics Workflow
Abstract: This workshop offers an overview of the learning analytics process for STEM education research, from understanding educational data to communicating results. Drawing on LASER Institute materials and Learning Analytics Goes to School (Krumm, Means, & Bienkowski, 2018), participants will explore key steps in the workflow: data preparation, visualization, analysis, and reporting. A conceptual overview will be followed by a hands-on R code-along, where participants will practice analytical techniques, create visualizations, and discuss strategies for interpreting and sharing findings. Designed for beginners, the workshop requires R and RStudio installed to participate.
Bio: Dr. Silvia-Jessica Mostacedo-Marasovic is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Higher Education, Adult Learning, and Organizational Studies Department at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). Her research focuses on STEM education, with an emphasis on environmental sciences across K–16 and professional development. She uses mixed-methods approaches in Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER) and project evaluation and is currently leading a study applying social network analysis to examine collaboration in education. She holds a PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences DBER from UTA, where her dissertation focused on water literacy across formal education settings.
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Speaker: Dr. Lauren Weisberg, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Teacher and Administrator Preparation (TAP), UTA College of Education
Title: Shaping Tomorrow’s Classrooms: Equity-Centered Teaching in a Technology-Rich Era
Abstract: The rapid evolution of technology has made digital literacy essential for success in today’s world. Yet access to high-quality digital and STEM learning opportunities remains inequitable in K–12 education, with historically underserved students more often engaging in passive, drill-based technology use than their more privileged peers. In this talk, I describe how my interdisciplinary research disrupts these patterns by (1) empowering teachers to design engaging and innovative technology-rich learning experiences and (2) broadening participation in computing and STEM education. Through this work, we can equip all learners to think critically, solve complex problems, and thrive in a society where digital literacy increasingly shapes opportunity.
Bio: Lauren Weisberg is an assistant professor at UTA whose research sits at the intersection of teacher education and educational technology. She earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida after spending more than a decade teaching STEM and arts-based courses at the secondary and college levels. In projects funded by NSF, IES, and Google, her work has supported inclusive computing and STEM instruction in K–12 schools. She also designs microcredentials and teacher professional learning grounded in equity-centered approaches like Universal Design for Learning and is expanding her research to co-design arts-integrated and AI-focused STEM curricula with K–12 educators and community partners.
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Speaker: Dr. Erdogan Kaya, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Teacher and Administrator Preparation (TAP), UTA College of Education
Title: Exploring Pre-service Elementary Teachers Artificial Intelligence Teaching Efficacy Beliefs
Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is influencing every aspect of our lives, yet AI education remains largely missing from K–12 schools, especially in elementary settings. This study explores an AI intervention for pre-service elementary teachers (PSTs), framed by Bandura's self-efficacy theory. Within a technology course, PSTs explored AI concepts and practices, and engaged in hands-on activities that highlight AI's affordances, limitations, and ethical considerations. We assessed PSTs' AI teaching efficacy beliefs before and after the intervention. Findings reveal that targeted AI training improved PSTs' teaching efficacy beliefs. This study offers strategies for teacher preparation programs and underscores the urgency of expanding AI education in pre-college settings.
Bio: Dr. Kaya is an assistant professor of education with a joint appointment at the Department of Teacher and Administrator Preparation and Division of Data Science. As well as having a BS degree in chemical engineering, he has a MS degree in computer science (CS) and in Machine Learning Engineering. He has published journal papers and presented at national and international conferences about computational thinking, K-12 AI/CS/robotics, and engineering education. He has received numerous teaching awards, including NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Educator Award and ASEE SE Division Outstanding New Teacher Award, and has been awarded grants for research from several foundations totaling more than $4.7 million with his colleagues.
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Speaker: Dr. Jessica Mostacedo, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Higher Education, Adult Learning, and Organizational Studies (HEALOS), UTA College of Education
Title: Introduction to Social Network Analysis
Abstract: This workshop introduces the foundations and applications of social network analysis (SNA) in STEM education research. Based on LASER Institute materials and Social Network Analysis and Education (Carolan, 2014), we will cover core network theory concepts, examples in educational contexts, and widely used analytical tools. A conceptual overview will precede a guided R code-along, where participants will learn to visualize and analyze network data. Hands-on exercises will focus on interpreting network metrics and discussing implications for teaching and learning. No prior SNA experience is required, but R and RStudio should be installed to participate.
Bio: Dr. Silvia-Jessica Mostacedo-Marasovic is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Higher Education, Adult Learning, and Organizational Studies Department at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). Her research focuses on STEM education, with an emphasis on environmental sciences across K–16 and professional development. She uses mixed-methods approaches in Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER) and project evaluation and is currently leading a study applying social network analysis to examine collaboration in education. She holds a PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences DBER from UTA, where her dissertation focused on water literacy across formal education settings.
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