School of Education, USD 497 to co-host TED Talks-style research, teaching festival

LAWRENCE — The School of Education at the University of Kansas has joined Lawrence Public Schools (USD 497) to co-host the inaugural EDTalks! Research & Teaching Festival.

The event, celebrating the collaboration between the two organizations, will be 7-9 p.m. April 19 in 150 Joseph R. Pearson Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

“There is a lot of talent and a number of great things going on right here in Lawrence, both across the school district and in the School of Education,” said Rick Ginsberg, dean of the School of Education. “Our goal is to share these great things with the community and enable them to engage with the experts in our midst.”

It will include seven powerful five-minute presentations along with time for question and answer after each. Light refreshments will be provided. Presentations will include the following:

• "True Grit? Making a Scientific Object & Pedagogical Tool," Chris Kirchgasler, assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum & Teaching at KU
• "Would You Believe Me?," Craig McCauley, choir teacher at West Middle School
• "Children’s Literature as a Vehicle for Political Socialization: An Examination of Best-selling Picture Books 2013-2017," Meagan Patterson, associate professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at KU
• "Global Collaboration with Young Learners," Nicole Corn, kindergarten teacher at Sunset Hill Elementary School
• "Just Google It: An Observational Study of Youth Searching for Online Health Information," Susan Harvey, assistant professor in the Department of Health, Sport, & Exercise Sciences at KU
• "This is Not Your Grandfather's Learning Environment... But It Can Be," Keith Wilson, (retired) director of virtual education/principal of Lawrence Virtual School
• "Capitalizing on Fandom: Harry Potter & TESOL Pre-service Teacher Education," M’Balia Thomas, assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum & Teaching at KU.

“We hope to learn from each other and to further our connection and collaboration with the KU School of Education,” said Jerri Kemble, assistant superintendent of leading, learning and technology for Lawrence Public Schools. “We are also excited for the opportunity to feature a few of the many practices our teachers employ when engaging students through critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication and curiosity in the classroom.”

More information about the EDTalks! Research & Teaching Festival may be found here.

The School of Education is a nationally ranked school, preparing educators as leaders.  

Lawrence Public Schools, serving 12,000 students in Lawrence, is a learning community committed to ensuring educational equity and excellence so that students of all races and backgrounds achieve at high levels and graduate prepared for success in college, careers and life in a diverse and rapidly changing world.