The Inquiry Oasis: A UArizona College of Education Podcast UArizona College of Education

In this episode of Inquiry Oasis, host Jeffrey Anthony engages with Dr. Kristin Gunckel, a distinguished scholar in science education at the University of Arizona College of Education. The dialogue traverses the landscape of climate literacy, linking classroom pedagogy to community empowerment. Dr. Gunckel also walks us through her research on preparing elementary teachers for science education and the role this plays in cultivating informed citizens. The conversation delves into the synergies between scientific knowledge and social justice, particularly within the context of the Desert Southwest.


Topics Discussed
Integrating Computational Thinking into Environmental ScienceThe Role of Interdisciplinary Research in Science EducationEnvironmental Science Literacy Beyond Climate: Water Systems and MoreSocial Justice and Science: Interconnections and ImplicationsUniversity Collaborations: The Learning Progressions and Science 3 ProjectPreparing Teachers for Multifaceted Science Education ChallengesFuture Directions: Where Science Education Meets Community NeedsRecommend Books
Evolution's Rainbow: Diversity, Gender, and Sexuality in Nature and People by Joan RoughgardenThe Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Jane Goodall & Douglas Abrams

In this episode of Inquiry Oasis, we welcome Dr. Taucia González, an assistant professor of special education at the University of Arizona College of Education. Dr. González sheds light on her groundbreaking GANAS project, where high school students use testimonios as a narrative tool to critically reflect on systemic barriers in education. We explore how these narratives from bilingual, Latina/Latino/Latinx, and Hmong youths, with and without disabilities, challenge traditional pedagogies and contribute to a more inclusive educational landscape. Dr. González's insights underscore the importance of integrating cultural and linguistic diversity into educational systems to empower marginalized communities.

Topics Discussed:
The GANAS Project: Empowering Bilingual Youths Through TestimoniosEducational Inequities: Insights from Bilingual and Disabled StudentsThe Intersection of Race, Language, and Disability in EducationTestimonios: A Tool for Critical Reflection and Social ChangeCase Study Highlight: Diego's Educational Journey Envisioning a Future of Inclusive and Affirming Educational Spaces
Resources:
Sustaining Disabled Youth: Centering Disability and Assets Pedagogies - Edited by Federica Waitoller and Kathleen King ThoriusMentioned Scholars: Mariana Pacheco (UW Madison), Na Lor (Teachers College, Columbia), Joan Hong (University of Maryland, College Park), Kate Roberts (Doctoral candidate, UW Madison)

This episode of The Inquiry Oasis we dive into the REEDS (Research on Educational Equity and Diversity in STEM) Fellowship Program at the University of Arizona College of Education. Funded by a significant NSF grant, this initiative aims to reshape STEM education through research focused on creating inclusive and diverse learning environments. The episode features conversations with the first cohort of REEDS fellows - Drs. Abby Rocha, Sy Simms, Nicholas Witt, and Shakuntala Devi Gopal - who share their individual research projects, personal inspirations, and experiences in transitioning from graduate students to postdoctoral scholars. They reflect on the intersection of STEM, diversity, and education, and discuss how their work contributes to a more equitable academic landscape.

Topics Discussed:
Cultivating Culturally Affirming Mathematics CurriculumEquitable STEM Access for Marginalized Learners Institutional Diversity and Sense of BelongingCulturally Responsive Pedagogy in Higher EducationChallenges and Opportunities of Postdoctoral TransitionRole of Personal and Professional Identities in Academic ResearchImpacts of Research on Policy and Practice in Higher Education
Recommended Books/Papers:
Funds of Knowledge for Teaching: Using a Qualitative Approach to Connect Homes and Classrooms by Luis C. Moll, Cathy Amanti, Deborah Neff, Norma GonzalezThe Professor Is In by Karen KelskyOn Being Included, Racism and Diversity in Institutional Life by Sara AhmedReading and Writing the World with Mathematics: Toward a Pedagogy for Social Justice by Eric Gutstein 

In this episode of Inquiry Oasis, we delve into the fascinating world of cognitive processes in education with Dr. Jonathan Tullis, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Arizona College of Education. Dr. Tullis, a prominent figure in the Cognition and Memory in Education and Learning Lab, shares insights from his groundbreaking research on the interaction between memory and learning environments, with a special focus on "Remindings." We explore his NSF-funded CAREER grant and its implications for optimizing learning strategies, aligning them with our natural cognitive tendencies. Dr. Tullis’s work is a critical beacon in understanding how cognitive processes shape effective learning environments, contributing significantly to the field of educational psychology.
Topics Discussed:
Journey to the Forefront: Dr. Tullis’s Path in Educational PsychologyThe CAMEL Lab: Pioneering Research in Cognition and MemoryThe Essence of 'Remindings': Transforming Educational StrategiesCognitive Environments and Learning: An Intersecting RealmMemory Optimization: Strategies for Effective LearningUnearthing Discoveries: Surprises in Cognitive ResearchFuture Visions: Integrating Cognitive Principles in EducationBook Recommendation:
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning – by Peter Brown, Henry Roediger, Mark McDaniel

In this episode of The Inquiry Oasis, host Jeffrey Anthony speaks with Dr. Dawn Demps, exploring her remarkable journey from a high school dropout in Flint, Michigan, to becoming an assistant professor at the University of Arizona, College of Education. Dr. Demps shares her transformative experiences with educational policy and social justice, highlighting the pivotal role of TRIO programs and the impact of community support on her academic pursuits. She delves deep into the realms of Black Feminism, Critical Race Theory, and Community Cultural Wealth, illuminating their importance in challenging educational exclusion and shaping inclusive futures. Dr. Demps underscores the importance of storytelling in research, advocating for the inclusion of diverse narratives as valid data sources. Her vision for the future of K-12 education is one of freedom, community engagement, and inclusiveness. 
 
 
Topics Discussed:
Educational Resilience and Personal Transformation: Exploring the transformative journey from high school dropout to academia.Intersection of Race, Policy, and Educational Leadership: Examining how these elements interplay in shaping educational landscapes.Empowerment through Black Feminism and Critical Race Theory: Delving into the impact of these frameworks on understanding and addressing educational inequities.The Significance of Community and Cultural Wealth in Education: Highlighting the role of community support and cultural knowledge in enriching educational experiences.Storytelling as a Powerful Tool in Academic Research: Discussing the importance of integrating personal narratives and community stories into scholarly work.Advocating for Inclusive and Community-Based Education Models: Envisioning a future of education that is inclusive, community-centered, and liberating.Scholarly Activism and Its Role in Transformative Educational Change: Emphasizing the importance of activism in academia for driving systemic change in education. 
Resources:
Journal of Negro Education: Blooming In the Shafts: A Black Mother Scholar’s Tale of Flipping Pandemic Precarity to Educational PossibilityDerrick Bell: Brown V. Board of Education and the Interest Convergence DilemmaBrittney Cooper: Link to ResourcesOctavia Butler: Link to Resources 
Book Recommendation:
Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom – By Bell Hooks

In this episode of Inquiry Oasis, Dr. Adai Tefera, an associate professor of special education at the University of Arizona's College of Education delves into her pivotal research on racial disparities in special education, examining the complex interplay of race, disability, language, and other social factors. We take a look at Dr. Tefera’s article she co-authored in the American Educational Research Journal - The Aftermath of Disproportionality Citations: Situating Disability-Race Intersections in Historical, Spatial, and Sociocultural Contexts, and explore the historical, socio-cultural, and spatial contexts shaping educational policies and their impact on students with disabilities. Dr. Tefera's insights illuminate the urgent need for transformative changes in educational equity and policy-making.
Topics Discussed:
Navigating Intersections: Race and Disability in EducationA Deeper Look: Disproportionality in Special EducationMethodological Insights: Uncovering Systemic InequitiesBreaking New Ground: Key Findings from Dr. Tefera's ResearchThe Construct of Defectcraft: Rethinking Disability and RaceUnveiling Histories: The Impact of Past Policies on Present PracticesShaping Futures: Implications for Education in Diverse CommunitiesResources:
Disability and Difference in Global Contexts: Enabling a Transformative Body Politic – by Nirmala ErvellesToward an Interdisciplinary Understanding of Educational Equity and Difference: The Case of the Racialization of Ability - By Alfredo Artiles