UTSA Professors, Carmen Fies and Chris Packham, were presented an Eddy Award by San Antonio’s School of Science and Technology.
(May 30, 2019) -- Professors Carmen Fies and Chris Packham at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) have been honored for their efforts to enhance STEM education in San Antonio schools by creating and nurturing educational partnerships in the community.
Fies, an associate professor in the UTSA College of Education and Human Development (COEHD), and Packham, an associate professor in the UTSA College of Sciences, received an Eddy award from the School of Science and Technology (SST) this month. The 2019 SST Education Awards, or Eddy awards, honor parents and community members who work with students and educators to help them achieve their goals and succeed.
"SST works to prepare our students to be successful in STEM fields of study and for the high demand, highly valued career opportunities that will follow. Nothing is more important in that effort than professional development for teachers. Professors Fies and Packham have provided teachers throughout San Antonio with amazing experiential learning in physics and astronomy. Their work makes science exciting and engaging in classrooms across our city,” said Nancy Thompson, Director of Community Outreach and Communications at School of Science and Technology.
As members of the faculty of UTSA, a top research and urban serving university, Fies and Packham have built and enhanced relationships at schools across San Antonio to encourage current and future educators to get excited about modern astronomy, a science they say serves as a gateway to STEM learning.
Nearly two years ago, Fies, Packham and faculty members at UTSA, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), and the McDonald Observatory began to collaborate on astronomy education with the San Antonio Teacher Training Astronomy Academy (SATTAA). SATTAA provides pre- and in-service teachers with content and pedagogical knowledge, technology tools, and practical resources facilitating STEM education in their classrooms as a way of inspiring students to remain in STEM education.
“We believe that the inspirational nature of astronomy and the commonly held interest by young future scientists can be used to help attract and maintain interest in STEM, for the good of all scientific and high-technology disciplines, not just astronomy,” explained Packham.
“SATTAA is one of the most exciting endeavors I am part of. The program seeks to not only build astronomy content expertise in educators, but to also reignite the passion for looking at the night sky as our window to the universe,” said Fies.
During the SATTAA, participants visit local and regional educational and STEM facilities such as the Witte Museum, McDonald Observatory and Scobee Planetarium. They explore topics such as the solar system, stars, galaxies, dark matter, exo-planets, optics and the future of astronomy. The program is funded by NASA and National Science Foundation grants awarded to Fies and Packham, respectively.
This year, SATTAA will be held from June 10 to 21.
Learn more about Carmen Fies.
Learn more about Chris Packham.
Learn more about SATTAA.
Celebrate UTSA’s 50th Anniversary and share social media posts about the 50th using the hashtag #UTSA50.
Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Emerging artists work in the full range of traditional methods and materials as well as in interdisciplinary and new media. Themes range from social and cultural critique to investigations that are challenging and exquisite explorations in creative form and image.
UTSA Art Gallery, Arts Building, Main CampusJuan Vallejo’s art conveys his experience as a childhood migrant worker. Opening reception: Thurs, Dec. 5, 6–9 p.m. Free and open to the public.
UTSA Terminal 136, Blue Star Arts Complex, 136 Blue St., San AntonioPortions of Cook Road will be closed for construction related to the new Student Success Center project and Americans with Disabilities Act sidewalk upgrades.
Cook Road, Main CampusOut of the violence comes a silence, then a song. Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music and peace. A remarkable true experience, told in the words and songs of the men who lived it. UTSA partners with The Public Theater for this event. Contact the theater at (210) 458-3288 for scheduling requests.
Buena Vista Theater, Downtown CampusForty-six modular units will be delivered to Main Campus as part of the new Student Success Center project. The units will enter campus at Brennan Avenue and will travel to their final destination, south of the North Paseo Building and Graduate School and Research Building via Tobin Avenue, Bauerle Road and Devine Avenue.
Brennan Avenue, Tobin Avenue, Bauerle Road, Devine Avenue, Main CampusEnjoy two classic holiday performances. Children’s Ballet of San Antonio will present two of The Nutcracker. Our Lady of Guadalupe Church will perform a traditional Pastorela play, a morality tale about shepherds going to Bethlehem and the snares the devil uses to dissuade them. Performances are included with regular ITC admission.
UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 E. César E. Chavez Blvd., San AntonioCelebrating graduating students from the College of Engineering and the College of Liberal and Fine Arts. Guest speaker: Susan Pape '86, chairman of the San Antonio Express-News.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St., San AntonioThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
