Mason professors are learning to take best teaching practices off the pages of research papers and into their classrooms as part of NSF grant.
By helping undergraduates succeed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses, George Mason University’s STEM Accelerator is being named one of Virginia’s “2015 Programs that Work” by the Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition.
View the summary poster, of all our activities, that was presented at the VA State Assembly on January 20, 2015, when the program received the 2015 Program that works award.
Shocked by the national failure rate of college calculus courses, Mason professor questions the status quo and finds new way to teach students the reasoning behind the equations.
Director, STEM Accelerator
Professor, Mathematical Sciences
email: pseshaiy@gmu.edu
phone: 703-993-9787
1404 Exploratory Hall
website: http://math.gmu.edu/~pseshaiy
Dr. Seshaiyer’s primary appointment during the 2015-2016 academic year is with the National Science Foundation (NSF). If you have questions regarding the Accelerator, please contact Dr. Mary Nelson, the interim director.
This week, 52 incoming freshmen are getting an early chance at academic and career success as part of “crash course” in calculus, cell biology, general chemistry or physics.
A new camp gives girls of color a jump start on success in STEM fields.
Term Associate Professor, Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Science
email: jnord@gmu.edu
office: 3050 David King Hall
phone: 703-993-3395
Office Hours: Monday 1:30 – 2:45 pm & Thursday 1:30 – 2:45 pm
Website: http://mason.gmu.edu/~jnord/
Current Research Interests
My research has focused on field-based problems that reflect my interest in applied mineralogy, geological education and inquiry-based experiential learning. I currently work on low-temperature geochemical processes that you can see in soils, wetlands, in mining areas and in other environmental problem areas.
Teaching Interests
Mineralogy; Geology 302
Advanced Mineralogy; Geology 315
Field Mapping Techniques with Lisa LaCivita; Geology 303 & GGS 308
Field Mapping Techniques with Lisa LaCivita; EVPP 503
Interim Director, STEM Accelerator
Term Associate Professor, Mathematics
email:mnelso15@gmu.edu
office: 1405 Exploratory Hall
phone: 703-993-1492
Dr. Nelson earned her Ph.D. in Research and Evaluation Methods in 2005 from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She earned an MS degree in Mathematics in 1988 from the GMU. She joined the Mathematics Department and the STEM Accelerator program at GMU in 2012. Her main responsibilities in Mathematics are teaching undergraduate courses and supervising the introduction of oral reviews to improve student understanding and retention. She is currently involved in three grants. The NSF TUES II grant is designed to provide students oral reviews. Her NSF Noyce grant gives undergraduates the chance to explore the teaching profession. Its goal is to increase the number of STEM secondary teachers. The third grant is from OSCAR and involves several mathematics faculty in reforming courses to make them more student centered. As part of her Accelerator duties, Dr. Nelson is responsible for improving students’ retention rates, recruitment and career opportunities.
Term Assistant Professor
Forensic Science Program
email: kknight6@gmu.edu
office: 3420 Exploratory Hall
phone: 703-993-5478
Contributions to Accelerator:
Coordinates FOCUS each summer, Multiple outreach events throughout year, serves as mentor to LCPS students.
Fairfax Campus: 4400 University Dr. Fairfax, VA 22030