It’s All Linked to Education

In this engaging session, participants will explore how STEM design, higher education, and project- and problem-based learning (PBL) intersect to transform K–12 education. As the demands of the modern world continue to evolve, educators must be equipped to design learning experiences that are inquiry-driven, interdisciplinary, and grounded in real-world problem solving. This webinar highlights how institutions of higher education play a critical role in preparing future educators to implement high-quality STEM instruction through authentic, student-centered approaches. Participants will examine practical strategies for integrating STEM design and PBL into classroom practice, while also considering how these approaches cultivate critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation among K–12 learners. This session will provide both a conceptual foundation and actionable insights to support the development of future-ready classrooms. Presenter(s): Chaz Gipson, Karen Ford-Jackson and Joseph Isaac Register

This introductory webinar explores how mentoring can support career readiness across the student career trajectory. Moving beyond traditional career preparation, the session focuses on identity development, skill building, and career navigation as core components of workforce success. Participants will gain a foundational framework and practical strategies to support students at different stages, laying the groundwork for more targeted, stage-specific approaches in future sessions. Presenter(s): Jehnae Linkins, Emily Davis, and Amaka Nwankwo Register

This webinar explores synthetic data generation for rare object detection, focusing on generating labeled training samples for underrepresented classes, such as atypical vehicles. It examines advanced techniques, including 3D rendering, Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), and diffusion models, to produce diverse, high-fidelity, and fully annotated datasets at scale. Attendees will gain insight into how these approaches address data scarcity challenges and enable the development of more robust and accurate detection models. Presenter(s): Frances Carter-Johnson and James Smith Register

If you've ever wondered how federal science agencies actually get their funding — and why it can shift so dramatically from year to year — this webinar is for you. We'll walk through the federal appropriations process from start to finish, explaining the roles of Congress and the Administration and how decisions get made. Using past case studies and a close look at the FY2027 budget process as it unfolds in real time, we'll give you the context to make sense of the news and understand what's happening to the agencies and programs that fund your work. Presenter(s): Josh Trapani Register

This webinar will highlight why it's essential to select the right research design and methodology for your study, covering the main features of each. Research design acts as the plan that shapes your project, helping you address your research questions or goals. Research methodology puts this plan into action by outlining the techniques and processes used to gather and analyze data. Both are key to ensuring your research is thorough and systematic. The webinar will also share strategies and practical advice for choosing suitable methods and combining different study elements logically to answer your research questions effectively. This webinar is part of the series: Capacity Building for Applied STEM Education and Behavioral Sciences Research. Presenter(s): Toni Dancstep, Toya Frank, Naomi Hall-Byers, Tori Rhoulac Smith Register

Three years in the making, the NSB’s report provides recommendations on how to improve the merit review process in the current environment while still upholding the mission of the US National Science Foundation. Participants in this webinar will learn about the new NSB updates to the NSF Merit Review process and how it may impact proposal submission and review going forward. This webinar is part of a series on NSF policies, guidelines, and review processes. Presenter(s): Sharmini Pitter-Boghos and Jennifer Riehl Register