NSM Professional Series in Teaching, Research, and Leadership

September 16, 2024 by ljudy

The Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics is initiating an annual series focused on our pillars of excellence – teaching, research, and leadership – to bring together faculty and staff from across the departments to share expertise, support each other in these endeavors, and build collaborations.

Teaching: Talk with NSM colleagues about effective classroom instruction, cutting-edge education research, and innovative curriculum design in our STEM classrooms.
Research: Learn and discuss strategies from UT and NSM colleagues to secure funding and build robust networks and collaborations within the dynamic STEM fields.
Leadership: Work alongside colleagues to cultivate strengths in career advancement, mentoring, well-being, and essential leadership qualities.

There will be four events each academic year hosted September through May, bookended by social gatherings.

2024-25 Academic Schedule

Check back for updates on pending information.

Month	Topic	Date, Time, & Location	Title	Abstract
September	A social event to welcome in the new year.	September 20 8 – 10 a.m. Student Union (SU) 272c Ballroom	Welcome Breakfast	Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics faculty are invited to mingle with new faculty members from the division and connect with current colleagues during the upcoming breakfast social. This is a relaxed event where you can drop in, grab breakfast, chat with new colleagues, and leave when you need to.
October	A teaching event bringing together talent from different NSM departments to share and discuss their innovative and inclusive teaching methods.	October 24 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Student Union (SU) 362b	Engaging in Active Learning in NSM Disciplines	Join Dean Kate Jones (Physics) and Stephanie Drumheller-Horton (EEPS) for a discussion on engaging students in the STEM classroom.
November	A research event to increase success and collaboration in research endeavors in NSM.	November 4 3 – 4 p.m. Zoom (Click here to attend)	PIVOT Training Workshop	Join the Office of Research and Creative Activity (ORCA), as they discuss PIVOT–a streamlined research funding search engine for faculty, postdocs, and graduate students. In this session, participants will learn best practices for building a tailored PIVOT profile with weekly, automated alerts and tracking funding opportunities.
February	Mentoring Graduate Students in Scientific Writing	February 18 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Student Union (SU) 362b	Mentoring NSM Students in Science Communication	Join Liz Derryberry (ecology and evolutionary biology) and Viktor Nemykin (chemistry) for a discussion on developing writing skills for graduate students. Come for short presentations from our speakers on courses their departments lead, and personal experiences working with students. After the presentations, engage with other attendees in small group discussions on best practices in mentoring scientific writing.
March	A teaching event featuring a special session of the Teaching and Learning Innovation Teaching Values Summit.	March 25 Student Union	UT Teaching Values Summit	This event brings together the three Divisions of the College of Arts and Sciences where each will host a session focusing on ideas from one of the UT Principles of Excellence in Teaching. This event is hosted in partnership with the Community of Scholars for Advancing Teaching Excellence (CATE).
May	A social event inviting all division faculty and staff to tour science facilities at UT and celebrate the end of the semester with sweet treats.	May 14 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. 130 Hesler Biology Building Greenhouse and Middle Drive between Hesler and AMB	Science Social	Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics faculty and staff are invited to mingle, enjoy a sweet treat, and explore the Hesler Greenhouse at this end-of-semester social. Guided tours of the greenhouse will be offered every 30 minutes, or you may explore on your own. The dessert truck will be located behind Hesler on Middle drive. This is drop in event where you can grab a treat, chat with colleagues, view the plants, and leave when you need to.