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October 2025
October 2025
Dr. Natalie King (Georgia State University) hosted the 40th annual meeting of the Southeastern Association for Science Teacher Education (SASTE) in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 26-27, 2025. The theme was “40 Years and Forward—Advancing Innovation and Affirming Humanity.” Dr. King called on attendees to both learn and participate in critical conversations about the use of AI in science education. Accordingly, Dr. Terrell Morton (University of Illinois Chicago) delivered the keynote entitled, “Enabling STEM Futures: The Possibilities and Prevented Pitfalls of Using Afrofuturism to Situate AI in STEM.” Dr. Nadine Ebri also delivered the pre-conference workshop, “Exploring the 3 E’s of Artificial Intelligence.” Nearly 90 participants attended 57 in-person and virtual presentations and mini-workshops, many of which were focused on the conference theme.
The following awards were presented at the business meeting:
Past President: Dr. Rachel Gisewhite (The University of Southern Mississippi)
Outstanding Faculty Position Paper: Dr. Michael Dentzau (Columbus State University)
“AI as a Tool: Is it Truly an Advantage in Education?”
Eddie Griffen Memorial Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Position Paper: Miranda M. Allen (Texas Tech University)
“Reclaiming, Redefining, and Taking Up Space: A Call to Transform STEM Education from the Voices of Black Girls”
Additionally, the SASTE membership elected Dr. Brent Gilles (University of West Georgia) as the President-Elect, Dr. Joshua Ellis (Louisiana State University) as the ASTE Regional Representative, and Dr. Jennifer Stark (University of West Florida) to continue as Secretary-Treasurer.
Dr. Drew Gossen (University of South Alabama) will host the next SASTE conference in Mobile, Alabama. More details will be shared in the spring on the conference page and Facebook group.
January 2025
January 2025
The 39th annual meeting of the Southeast region was held at the beautiful Gulf Park campus of the University of Southern Mississippi in Long Beach, MS. Dr. Rachel Gisewhite organized and hosted the meeting. This year’s theme, “Embracing the Edge: Cultivating Wonder, Fostering Fearlessness, and Daring Vulnerability in Science Education,” encouraged participants to push boundaries, question assumptions, and step boldly into the unknown. Participants shared their research and advice from the trenches in 29 in-person and virtual presentations.
To kick off the day, Dr. Merrie Koester shared the community outreach effort called Kids Teaching Flood Resilience, which positions youth in flood-prone communities as resources of knowledge and flood resilience.
In his lunchtime keynote entitled, “Seeding STEAM: Integrating the Arts into STEM,” Dr. Brandon Ballengée shared his longtime collaborative efforts with diverse communities to create transdisciplinary works through participatory science programs resulting in actions and installations such as “Ghosts of the Gulf.”
During the business meeting, Dr. Drew Gossen (University of South Alabama) was selected as the President-Elect. Dr. Joshua Ellis (Louisiana State University) was recognized for his service to the organization with the Past-President award.
Additional awards included:
Rod Nave Award: Dr. Melissa Demetrikopoulos (Institute for Biomedical Philosophy)
Deborah Tippins Mentor Award: Dr. John Pecore (University of West Florida)
Outstanding Faculty Position Paper: Dr. Shim Lew (University of West Florida)
Two long-time SASTE members, Dr. Rose Pringle (University of Florida) and Dr. Nate Carnes (University of South Carolina), retired in 2024. Dr. Pringle and Dr. Carnes were both former recipients of the John Shrum Award for their lifelong commitment to science education and participation and leadership in SASTE. Best wishes on your next journey. Enjoy every minute!
Save the date:
Dr. Natalie S. King, our current SASTE President, will host the annual meeting at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA on September 26 - September 27, 2025. This will be the 40th SASTE meeting. We hope to see you there!
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