With President Obama expected soon to announce new commitments to computer-science education – possibly during Tuesday’s State of the Union – MSU’s Aman Yadav already is working to improve computer science in classrooms across the nation.
Yadav, associate professor of education, is just one of many Michigan State University experts who can discuss potential topics covered during the president’s Jan. 12 address.
In addition to computer science and, more broadly, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, Obama is expected to discuss the economy and job growth, gun control and immigration, among other issues.
Here is a shortlist of MSU experts; for more, contact Andy Henion, MSU communications manager, at (517) 281-6949 or henion@msu.edu.
STEM EDUCATION
Aman Yadav, an expert in STEM education, is leading a National Science Foundation-funded project to train high school teachers in computer science. The White House early this year is expected to make “a broad set of new commitments” to computer science education. Yadav can be reached at (517) 884-2094, cell (765) 543-7154, ayadav@msu.edu.
R. Sekhar Chivukula, physics professor and associate dean in the College of Natural Science, can discuss what MSU is doing in relation to STEM education. Chivukula can be reached at (517) 325-3436, sekhar@msu.edu.
Joseph Krajcik is professor of science education and director of MSU’s CREATE for STEM Institute. His recent work involves designing new national education standards in science, developing middle school curriculum materials and improving how teachers teach fundamental science concepts and skills. Krajcik can be reached at (517) 432-0816, krajcik@msu.edu.
Melanie Cooper is Lappan-Phillips Professor of Science Education and an expert in STEM education. Along with Krajcik, she argued in a recent Science paper that American universities need to reform how they teach introductory science. Cooper can be reached at (517) 355-9715, ext. 197, mmc@msu.edu.
GUN CONTROL/POLITICS/OBAMA LEGACY
Matt Grossmann, political scientist and director of MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, can discuss the gun control debate, political ramifications of the State of the Union address and Obama’s legacy. Grossmann is also studying differences between what Democratic and Republican presidents say in their State of the Union addresses. Grossmann can be reached at (517) 355-6672, matt@mattg.org.
ECONOMY/JOBS/TRADE AGREEMENTS
Charles Ballard, professor of economics and director of MSU’s State of the State Survey, is a noted expert on the Michigan and national economies and the political ramifications of the economy. Obama is expected to discuss job growth. Ballard can be reached at (517) 353-2961, ballard@msu.edu.
Tomas Hult, business professor and director of MSU’s International Business Center, can discuss international business issues including Obama’s Trans-Pacific Partnership, which the president is expected to mention during his address. Hult can be reached at (517) 353-4336, hult@bus.msu.edu.
IMMIGRATION
David Thronson, professor of law, is an expert on constitutional and immigration law. Obama is likely to address immigration, especially the Syrian refugee crisis. Thronson can be reached at (517) 432-6916, david.thronson@law.msu.edu.
Stephanie Nawyn, associate professor of sociology, specializes in immigration and refugees and can discuss refugee resettlement in the United States, the conditions of Syrian refugees in the Middle East and Europe, and other immigration issues. Nawyn can be reached at (517) 353-7747, nawyn@msu.edu.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Sociologist Aaron McCright can discuss the political ramifications of Obama's efforts to slow climate change, which the president may mention in his address. McCright's work includes research looking at the power and influence of climate change deniers. McCright can be reached at mccright@msu.edu.