CLEVELAND, Miss.— A group of innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) practitioners and advocates—including Delta State University’s Dr. Liza Bondurant and Holly Senter—were among those recently invited to attend the Reagan Institute Summit on Education (RISE) Collaborative event.
The RISE Collaborative event convened partners from within Mississippi who have implemented exemplary music, art and science programs, as well as national experts who provided a new perspective on the subject.
Hosted in Jackson Feb. 16-17, the event highlighted exemplary programs in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) in the state of Mississippi and across the nation.
Dr. Liza Bondurant during the recent RISE Collaborative Event.
In addition to attending, Bondurant, who serves as an associate professor in Delta State’s Division of Mathematics and Sciences, helped the Reagan staff plan the event.
“It was an excellent event with science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) innovators and leaders from across the state,” said Bondurant. “[Former Miss. Governor] Phil Bryant provided inspirational opening remarks that set the tone for a wonderful day of learning and networking.”
The day before the summit, attendees were invited to participate in a guided tour of the Mississippi Museum of Art. The museum staff posed reflection and discussion questions based on STEAM-related exhibits.
“The RISE Collaborative was quite unique in its focus and goals, and I was thankful to be included in such a renowned group of educators and administrators,” said Senter, who serves Art Education director for the Bologna Performing Arts Center.
“This collaborative environment allowed me to see what professionals in the Southeast are doing in terms of innovating STEAM curriculum, programs and technology, and it really helped to solidify for me what the immerging national trends in STEAM education and integration seem to be going forward,” she added.
The Reagan Institute is committed to hosting smaller convenings, or RISE Collaboratives, to explore education policy issues highlighted during the annual Reagan Institute Summit
BPAC Director of Art Education Holly Senter
on Education.
The RISE Collaboratives convene intimate and diverse groups of experts (about 40-50) to reach shared understandings, findings, and recommendations on their particular area of work. Additionally, collaboratives provide infrastructure for continued collaboration to potentially form ongoing working groups or task forces.
To learn more about the work of the Reagan Institute, visit www.reaganfoundation.org.
The Ronald Reagan Institute also provides internship and scholarship opportunities for college students also. Click HERE to learn more.
