STEAM at Core of School of Education’s 7th Annual Sizemore Conference
The School of Education’s Barbara A. Sizemore Urban Education Initiative hosted the seventh annual Dr. Barbara A. Sizemore Summer Conference, focusing on science, technology, engineering and math as well as the arts (STEAM).
“More than 275 people from throughout the region, including students from the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) and community leaders who have been working with us through our Canevin Center for Educational Transformation and Social Justice, came together to hear nationally recognized educational leaders and to learn from each other how to seek educational equity for all young people,” said Dr. Olga Welch, dean of the School of Education.
The May 25-26 conference provided participants with experiences and tools to support their work in and beyond the classroom and, as a result, motivated them to continue the work of educating students in urban settings. A variety of speakers and hands-on workshops shared the latest in effective research and educational approaches.
Highlights included:
- Two panel discussions, one with area youth and another featuring fathers, focusing on lives, careers plans and parental engagement
- Pittsburgh hip-hop artist Jasiri-X, whose music and community service work are transforming urban classrooms and fostering positive social change
- Keynote speakers Dr. Louie Rodriguez, professor of educational leadership and technology at the University of California at San Bernardino, and Dr. Leslie Fenwick, professor of educational policy and leadership at Howard University, charged participants with improving opportunities for students, especially underserved and minority youth, at all educational levels
- 10 STEAM workshops included human-centered design, creativity and reclaimed materials, sustainable solutions for students to use in their communities, math as a means to improve self-esteem and culturally responsive educational tactics for the classroom and community.
In addition, Dr. Launcelot Brown, the Dr. Barbara A. Sizemore Distinguished Professor, presented the Sizemore Spirit Award to Hannah McCarthy, coordinator of the Teaching Magnet in the PPS. McCarthy, a 24-year teacher from Brashear High School and member of the Executive Council of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, was honored for her tireless work in engaging urban youth about viable careers in education and helping them realize the importance of becoming teachers.
Part of the School of Education’s Dr. Barbara A. Sizemore Urban Education Initiative, the namesake conference honors Sizemore. A teacher and administrator with the Chicago Public Schools, she became the first African-American woman to be appointed superintendent of a major city school system in Washington, D.C., worked to desegregate PPS and was an instrumental member of Pittsburghers Against Apartheid. Throughout her entire life, Sizemore campaigned tirelessly to foster educational equity for urban youth.
The Dr. Barbara A. Sizemore Summer Conference and The Canevin Center for Educational Transformation and Social Justice are funded through a grant from The Heinz Endowments.
