Joan Schumaker Chadde

Contact

jchadde@mtu.edu
906-487-3341
GLRC 115

Director, Center for Science and Environmental Outreach
Director, Family Engineering Program
Staff, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering

Secondary Science Education, Michigan Technological University, 1998
MS, Water Resources, University of Wyoming, 1984
BS, Natural Resources, University of Michigan, 1977

Biography

I have been engaged in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and environmental education for the past 27 years at the Michigan Tech Center for Science and Environmental Outreach. I am interested in developing and facilitating dynamic, engaging STEM learning opportunities for diverse audiences of both teachers and K-12 students, to spark interest, build confidence, and encourage STEM and environmental stewardship career paths.

I am a staff member in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering as well as an allied faculty member in the Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences.

Links of Interest

Areas of Expertise

Great Lakes education and stewardship
Environmental education
K-5 engineering and STEM outreach
K-12 science education
K-12 teacher professional learning
Communicating Science to a lay audience
Co-facilitator of biannual Lake Superior Youth Symposium students in grades 8-12
Producer and disseminater of 85+ Great Lakes floor maps and Lake Superior floor maps
Coordinator of 9 Water Festivals for Gr. 4-12 students in the western Upper Peninsula
Coordinator of 15 Western Upper Peninsula STEM Festivals for Gr. 4-8 students (2004-2019)

Recognition

2021 Certified Michigan Environmental Educator
2020 Michigan Technological University Diversity Award
2020 Michigan Science Teachers Association Informal Science Educator of the Year
2009 President, Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE)
2008-13 MAEOE Board Member
2010 MAEOE Conference Chair
Co-founder of MAEOE Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative

K-12 Teacher Professional Learning Institutes

Great Lakes Watershed Investigations ~ 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012-2014
Forest Ecology & Resources ~ 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009-2012, 2014
Future Fuels from Forests ~ 2008-2010
Global Change ~ 2005-2010, 2013, 2014, 2016
Great Lakes Maritime Transportation ~ 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010-2013
Engaging Your Students in Authentic Science Research ~ 2015, 2016
Design A Sustainable Future ~ 2015, 2016
Increasing Student Interest in Science & Science Careers ~ 2017-2020

K-12 STEM Outreach Programs

Director, 5-Day STEM Internships for Under-Served High School Students at Michigan Tech (2017-19).
Director, 6-Day Natural Resources & Engineering Exploration for Under-Served High School Students at Michigan Tech (2015-19).
Director, Urban Forest Stewardship Teachers Initiative in Detroit Public Schools, 2011-2014, included two 5-day Urban Forest Stewardship Teacher Institutes on Belle Isle, and presentations at the 2015 National Science Teachers Association Annual Conference (Chicago, IL) and 2014 North American Association for Environmental Education Annual Conference (Ottawa, ON).