In September, a delegation from Pakistan visited Vanderbilt University for the weeklong STEM-Powered Immersion Conference, hosted by Peabody College of education and human development. Eight faculty members from Sukkur IBA University and Qasim Aslam, founder and chief executive officer of Beyond the Classroom, participated in a comprehensive series of seminars, workshops, school visits and other activities related to STEM education and academic leadership.
Participants learned about building research capacities in STEM fields, teaching and learning practices and practical strategies for addressing challenges in academic and professional contexts. Hands-on activities, collaborative exercises and interactive discussions deepened understanding of these topics.
As the week drew to a close, the group was treated to a visit to Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory. Observatory director Dr. Billy Teets took the group on an in-depth tour of the facility, showcasing many of the the unique exhibits, highlighting the history of Vanderbilt’s ties to astronomy, and discussing Dyer’s numerous avenues for educational and cultural outreach to all audiences. The group was also privileged to visit on a night with a gorgeous clear sky, and trip to Dyer wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Seyfert Telescope to see Saturn in all its splendor.