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Ph.D. student Katerina Schenke received the Paul R. Pintrich Award for best paper from the Motivation in Education Special Interest Group (SIG) at the 2013 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Meeting held in San Francisco April 27 through May 1. SIGs provide a forum within AERA for the involvement of individuals drawn together by a common interest in a field of study, teaching, or research. Ms. Schenke's award recognizes excellence in doctoral research and includes a $500 cash stipend, a recognition plaque, and an invitation to present at the next AERA. Her winning paper was titled "Perceived Classroom Context Influences On Students’ Help-Seeking Behavior: What Reason and From Whom." Two additional doctoral students, Arena Chang and Rahila Munshi Simzar, received $100 travel awards from the Motivation in Education SIG. Abstract

Ph.D. student Shelly Vanamburg has been selected to serve as a Graduate InterConnect peer mentor for the 2013-2014 academic year. The Graduate InterConnect program is designed to assist international students with their transition to graduate study at UC Irvine. Peer mentors provide support for international students concerning registration and enrollment, housing, university resources, and the surrounding Irvine community. Graduate Division staff are available as liaisons for specific questions or concerns. Ms. Vanamburg is pursuing a specialization in Learning, Cognition, and Development under the guidance of her advisor Liane Brouillette. Ms. Vanamburg's research interests include cognitive theory, math and language acquisition, grammar and literacy, and learning through the arts.

Ph.D. student Neil Young is joining the board of CLEAN (Climate, Literacy, Empowerment, and Inquiry), a UC Irvine 501(3)(c) dedicated to providing children with the fundamental scientific background, tools, and support they need to take positive action on climate change and water issues, especially as they relate to Southern California. As part of their outreach efforts CLEAN members deliver educational presentations to schools and districts. Mr. Young has been working with CLEAN for over a year participating in the design of educational materials and instructional games. During the recent UC Irvine-sponsored Children's Water Education Festival, CLEAN hosted a booth to teach children about issues affecting the global oceans. Mr. Young is specializing in Learning , Cognition, and Development with interests in folk intuitions about math and science concepts.

Ph.D. student Jessica Tunney presented at the California Council on Teacher Education (CCTE) Conference in San Jose on April 12. The title of her presentation was "Facilitating Productive Teacher Discussion in Video-Based Professional Development." Her presentation was part of the section Facilitating Productive Teacher Discussions. Ms. Tunney, a third-year doctoral student specializing in Learning, Cognition, and Development, is advised by Associate Professor Elizabeth van Es. CCTE, founded in 1945, is a non-profit organization devoted to research, sound educational practice, professional network-building and partnership building, and dissemination of information on state-wide policy initiatives. The organization represents a diverse community of educators who are committed to continual improvement of the pre- and in-service education of teachers. Abstract

Ph.D. students Katerina Schenke (left), Cathy Tran (center), and Rebecca Itow, University of Indiana (right), were invited to National Science Foundation headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, to present research on the Gates/MacArthur-funded Badges Design Principles Documentation project. The doctoral students have been working with Dan Hickey (University of Indiana) and his research team to document badges systems across 30 projects. During the April 1 meeting, attended by STEM and afterschool educators, researchers, and professors from computer science, educational psychology, and learning sciences, Ms. Schenke, Tran, and Itow shared their work on principles around recognition, assessment, and motivation.

Whitney Young, UC Irvine Cal Teach program coordinator, hosted an April 11 orientation session for undergraduates wishing to know more about Cal Teach program options for a four-year degree plus seccondary-level teacher credential. During the afternoon session, Ms. Young and current seniors in the program discussed 4- or 5-year B.A. or B.S. degrees, science/math course requirements, teacher credential requirements, the student teaching experience, and classroom interactions. Currently UCI Cal Teach offers degree options in Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences (Chemistry, Earth System Science, Environmental Science, Mathematics, and Physics). Pictured at left: undergraduates Selina Saucedo and Nicole Chun with Whitney Young.

School Honors 2012-2013 Mary Roosevelt Honor Scholars in Teaching and Learning

Left to right: Amanda Roberson, John Funk, Lisette Vega, Erika Espinoza, Robert Chodola, Kelly Casassa,
Trevor Hershberger, Mary (Mrs. James) Roosevelt, Madeline Mullens, Jillian Blackledge,
Christopher James Perez, Elizabeth Gastelum, Michelle Chang, Stephen Gorgone 

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