The summer heat and conferences seem to go together! Although, I can’t say the same about the often unpredictable traffic patterns on the beltway even at 6.15am 😩 I had the pleasure to visit the grand campus of Morgan State University this week to observe the conclusion of a 3-year National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to PI, Roni Ellington and Co-PIs, Vanessa Dodo-Seriki and Marc Stein. Since 2020, MD-Collaborative for Research in Urban STEM Education (MD-CRUSE) has successfully …
News and Updates
MNA Shares Evaluation Insights On DEIA At Annual Ed Summit
Amidst experts I shared, For a few moments, so grand, Honored, I felt, to be there, heard Sharing evaluation's frontier. A privilege, a chance bestowed, To learn and grow, to be bold, speaking truth to the power, Among these great minds, so wise, Where knowledge and insights arise. Gathered together, we united, In pursuit of what's just and right, To foster inclusivity's embrace, And drive change with a steady pace. In this gathering, thoughts and ideas aligned, Collective …
Bok choys and Zinnias, anyone?
No, seriously! Bok choy, with its emerald leaves and succulent stems, unveils its earthly essence amidst the celestial expanse. Tender and refreshing, it entices the palate with a delightful balance of crunch and delicate flavors and not to mention - longer space shelf life. Now, pair it with the celestial majesty of beautiful zinnias (non-edible), their petals bursting with vibrant hues, igniting the senses with an explosion of colors. This ethereal duo beckons you to partake in a sensory …
Howard University Taps MNA to Evaluate A Significant NOAA-Funded Multi-Year Grant
Third time's the charm. Indeed it is! We are thrilled to announce that MNA has been awarded a significant evaluation project with Howard University, a premier HBCU in Washington DC, funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The National Center for Atmospheric Science and Meteorology (NCAS M II) project is a $30 million grant that spans five years awarded to two major institutions: Howard University and SUNY at Albany, and we are honored to have been selected to …
Blog: Role of NSF-funded Teacher Scholarship (Noyce) Grants In Addressing K-12 STEM Teacher Shortages in High-Needs Schools: A Perspective
🌟 📢 Today's the day! 🌟 📢 Happy to announce the publication of our new blog on Medium, "Role of NSF-funded Teacher Scholarship (Noyce) Grants In Addressing K-12 STEM Teacher Shortages in High-Needs Schools: A Perspective," skillfully crafted by our summer intern, Peter Goldie! This blog explores the transformative influence of the Noyce grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) on STEM teacher preparation trends and how our ongoing evaluations (10 to date) have not only informed but …
MNA and Teacher Preparation Programs
A decade or so ago, we were awarded our first evaluation project for the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Quality and Partnership (TQP) grant with a large university. Fast forward, we are into our 4th evaluation project and well into the year 4 of the current TQP grant with Frostburg State University and their three school district partners in Western Maryland. These past two days, we were at the Turf Valley Resort (Ellicott City, MD) for the annual National Leadership Conference for …
Bowie State University and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Join Forces for the Noyce Grant Teacher Preparation
I had a successful site visit to Bowie State University today. A well-known #HBCU located in Maryland, Bowie State has joined forces with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), one of the nation's leading research institutions, to launch an exciting summer outreach program at Bowie called GEMS (Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science) run by the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP). To read about the program: www.usaeop.com The collaborative effort between Bowie …
Coming Soon: Unveiling the Impact of the Noyce Grants on STEM Teacher Preparation Trends in the US.
📢 Exciting Announcement! 🌟 Coming Soon: Unveiling the Impact of Noyce Grants on STEM Teacher Preparation Trends in the US. Get ready to embark on an ongoing journey as we delve into the transformative influence of the Noyce Scholarship grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Learn how these grants have revolutionized STEM teacher preparation over the past two decades. Stay tuned for an insightful blog that unveils the remarkable advancements, innovative practices, and …
“Finding Forrester” and Writing
Usually, the late spring-summer months are busy writing periods for evaluators to complete and submit reports to the clients/funders. For some, writing comes naturally from practice and/or experience but for others, it can be a rather daunting task. Some of us are not native English speakers and most of us, honestly, have not been trained on how to write a technical report well. That's generally not a part of the curriculum. The other day, I watched the movie, "Finding Forrester," (for the …
May The 4th Be With You (And Yours)
May the 4th be with you, On this day of Star Wars lore, But before you start your Jedi evaluation training, Let's evaluate some more. "You must unlearn what you have learned," said Yoda wise and true, Evaluation is the path to knowledge- both context-and-culture based, And the Force will guide you through, You-the evaluator are also the tool. So, let's evaluate your saber skills, Your mind tricks and your speed, "Pass, you will, if study and apply hard you do," said Yoda, with a …