Our AIMS Leadership Team will kick-off the first session of the 2021-22 AIMS Colloquium Series titled Learning by Making: Transforming STEAM Experiences.

Materials Needed:

• 1-2 square sheets of paper (8.5” x 8.5” or larger suggested)

• small stickers or marker

• scissors

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

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Paul Reimer, Ph.D.
Executive Director

Paul has spent more than 20 years in public education as an elementary teacher, mathematics coach, and adjunct university instructor. In his current role as Executive Director of the AIMS Center for Math and Science Education, Paul’s work explores innovations in the design and implementation of professional learning with early childhood teachers in STEM domains. Drawing on situative perspectives of learning, Paul's research utilizes design-based methods to examine play as an embodied approach to learning across ages and contexts. Paul recently completed his Ph.D. in the Educational Psychology & Educational Technology program at Michigan State University and currently serves as Co-Organizer of the Mathematical Play working group for the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME-NA).

Aileen Rizo
Associate Director, PK-12

Aileen has worked in math education for 20+ years. She has served in state capacities with the California Department of Education and various community organizations. She has earned two master degrees - one in Educational Technology and another in Mathematics Education, and is currently a PhD student in STEM education at Texas Tech University. Additionally, she is an adjunct faculty member at Fresno Pacific University teaching both math and engineering courses. Aileen’s work in the STEM fields fueled her to realize the importance of providing young children with powerful educational experiences and the need for advocating for the equity of women and girls within these fields.

Steve Pauls, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Higher Education

Steve received his doctorate from the University of Kansas in Physical Chemistry and over the past 15 years he has taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses for FPU in science, mathematics, and teacher education. He is currently teaching the undergraduate general physics sequence and several different courses for the graduate STEM Master’s Education program. Steve also works closely with teachers in the valley through a variety of Math Science Partnership (MSP) multi-year grants looking to improve both content and pedagogy of our regional teachers. For the AIMS Center, Steve has been tasked with understanding and interpreting the latest research involving the cognitive development and conceptual understanding of young children in science and mathematics. He is interested in developing an integrative program involving spatial representation and learning within context of science education.