Slesnick Symposium helps teachers foster learning and belonging in STEM

May 14, 2025

by Mikayla King

WWU Communications

A woman presents to a large audience in a bright, modern lecture hall. A projector displays questions about active learning.

Elli Theobald delivers a keynote address, "Exploring the Roles of Classroom Practices and Climate on STEM Student Success"

A group listens to a student panel discussion in the SMATE Learning Library. Four female students are on the panel with two female faculty members.

Elli Theobald (left) and Sarah Eddy (right) listen to WWU student panelists (left to right) Maggie Minogue, Sophie Westermann, Dori Harcharik and Tyanin Opdahl

Faculty and students gathered to learn from one another on May 9 during the 11th Annual Slesnick Symposium, a day-long event focused on STEM education.

Hosted by Western's Science Math and Technology Education (SMATE) program, this year’s symposium’s theme was "Fostering Learning and Belonging in STEM" and included a workshop and keynote hosted by University of Minnesota Twin Cities Associate Professor Sarah Eddy and University of Washington Assistant Professor Elli Theobald about how classroom practices and the cultural climate influence STEM student success.

Participants also had the chance to attend a student panel to learn from current Western students about how faculty and students can work together to create an inclusive, welcoming classroom.

Theobald used a single word to explain how faculty can make an immediate improvement in their classroom’s culture: “Listen.”

A participant writes the word excitement on the left quadrant of a whiteboard set up with an xy axis labeled value and control. Nervous is placed on the high value line and the middle of the control line.

A workshop participant charts student emotions on a graph comparing value and control on an XY axis.

“I think we would radically shift our classrooms if faculty listened to their students — really listened,” she said, her words met with applause from the audience.

Several STEM faculty and staff members at WWU also gave presentations during a concurrent session in the afternoon on how they make their own instruction more inclusive.

Director of SMATE Emily Borda said the Slesnick Symposium offers a space for STEM instructors to come together and share ideas about how to improve their instruction.

“Attendees come away with new energy and inspiration they can apply to their classrooms,” she said. “It’s a wonderful event for anyone who is interested in elevating teaching and learning in STEM.”

The Slesnick Symposium is a free-to-attend, annual event designed for current or aspiring STEM teachers. For more information about how to attend next year’s event, please visit https://smate.wwu.edu/

Mikayla King (‘17) covers the College of Science and Engineering and Woodring College of Education for University Communications. Reach out to her with story ideas at kingm24@wwu.edu. 