SIG Workshop 2025
Quantitative Skills in Environmental Technology: Educational Resources Development for the Classroom
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Tuesday, July 22, 2025 - Minneapolis, Minnesota
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Educators and industry partners from Environmental and Natural Resource Technology-related disciplines are invited to join the EARTh Center, Highline College, and the Science Education Resource Center in an exploratory discussion of the quantitative skills (e.g., math, numbers, graphing, data analysis) essential to the success of students enrolled in environmental tech programs and entry-level environmental technician positions.
Workshop Description
This workshop will gather ~30 instructors, center personnel, industry leaders, and technicians to identify critical mathematical skills, discuss methods for conveying information, and assess the need for topics to be considered for development by "The Math You Need When You Need It" team. Participants will explore co-curricular math modules and work in small groups and whole-group discussions to address these topics.
Logistics
The SIG workshop will be held in the Marriott City Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm on Tuesday, July 22, as part of the HI-TEC Pre-conference. Travel stipends can be provided if participants are not already planning to attend the HI-TEC Conference. More info can be found on the registration form.
Expectations
Participants who register for the workshop are committing to doing some preparatory activities. Participation in the pre-conference SIG includes entrance to all sessions of the HI-TEC Conference, though this is a secondary opportunity to the SIG and not required.
Eligible Participants
The SIG workshop is mostly by invitation, but it is also open to interested educators and industry professionals who are involved in environmental tech or natural resource tech disciplines/sectors.
Workshop Goals
- Determine what quantitative skills are needed for students from the perspective of educators and industry partners
- Introduce The Math You Need modules and co-curricular approach for supporting students' quantitative skill development
- Share resources and strategies from educators and industry partners
- Explore AI tools for aligning classroom concepts and learning objectives
Workshop Conveners
Andrew McMahan, Director, Environmental and Natural Resources Technology (EARTh) Center, Central Carolina Community College
Eric Baer, Instructor and Division Chair, Highline College
Rory McFadden, Science Education Associate, Science Education Resources Center, Carleton College
Josh Webb, Associate Director, Environmental and Natural Resources Technology (EARTh) Center, Central Carolina Community College