Knowledge Mobilization and News

Outreach & Media

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Latest News
& Updates

Congratulations Amy, Emily and Laura on your GRADUATION from the Masters of Education!!!! (June, 2024)

Dr. Ruttenberg-Rozen is an invited speaker at the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation, AI and the Future of Education (May, 2024)

DDSB, Carolyn McGregor and the IDEASˢ Lab host STEM FOR EVERYONE (May, 2024)

On May 28th, we joined with the DDSB for the ‘STEM for Everyone’ event. The event focused on supporting students to realize their potential in higher education and to ignite their interest in the field of STEM!
200 Grade 9 students participated in STEM workshops led by Ontario Tech faculty and students from their labs.

Amy Nathan completes her project: Dance and Vlogs: Creating pathways to STEM identity for marginalized girls (April, 2024)

IDEASˢ Lab is honored to host guests from South Africa, Canada, and USA (October, 2023)

As part of our NFRF grant, we hosted a workshop with researchers from South Africa (Dr. Xoliswa Majola), the USA (Dr. Pamela Leggett-Robinson and Dr. Nichole Powell), and Canada (Dr. Rob Elkington and Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen) at our lab at Ontario tech. This collaborative workshop provided a platform for international scholars to exchange ideas and foster research collaborations.

IDEASˢ Lab and The Faculty of Education welcomes Dr. Edward Doolittle, Indigenous Mathematician, for a talk on Indigenous Mathematics (June, 2023)

INDIGENOUS MATHS, GLOBAL MATH, AND INDIGENIZING MATHEMATICS
DR. EDWARD DOOLITTLE
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, MATHEMATICS INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE & SCIENCE FIRST NATIONS UNIVERSITY OF CANADA

Abstract
Current Truth and Reconciliation efforts around mathematics generally begin at the wrong place, with the nearly universal and conventional mathematics (Global Math) commonly taught in schools and universities. To truly succeed in Reconciliation, we must begin with Indigenous Maths, with Creation even, and we must carefully and critically explore the relationships between the many Indigenous Maths, the one Global math, and Indigenizing mathematics.

Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen receives the Tim McTiernan Award for student mentorship (April, 2023)

Katelin Hynes defends her thesis: Tension and possibility: Navigating experiences in graduate studies through A/r/tographic currere (April, 2023)

Congratulations to Katelin for successfully defending your thesis!!!! Navigating Experiences in Graduate Studies Through A/r/tographic Currere

Thank you to Dr. Jennifer Thom (Victoria) for agreeing to be the external examiner.

Abstract:

This thesis is an artful act of resistance. Combining autoethnography, a/r/tography, and the method of currere to form an a/r/tographic currere, this work gathers narrative experiences in graduate studies. What is revealed are deep tensions in identity that are closely tied to experiences in schooling. Separated into four main parts, this thesis flows through visual and textu(r)al fragments to analyze and reflect on the past, present, and future. Fragments are analyzed through Biesta’s three functions of education (qualification, socialization, and subjectification) and synthesized toward a wider discussion of how living and learning in a knowledge economy has affected our educational experiences but our academic/teacher/researcher identities as well. To conclude, this thesis calls for deep reflection and action on the systems in which we learn, teach, and research and resistance of the consumerist relationship to education. Moreover, it disrupts who, what, when, where, and why are we teachers and academics.

Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen Featured in FIELDS: A tribute to Bob Moses: Math educator, civil rights leader and forward thinker (February, 2022)

Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen Featured in FIELDS: A tribute to Bob Moses: Math educator, civil rights leader and forward thinker

Click here to read the full article

IDEASˢ Lab is Proud to announce its participation in the ISTAS21 conference October 31st (October, 2021)

IDEASˢ Lab is Proud to Announce its Participation in the ISTAS21 Conference October 31st

STEM counterspaces are emerging as important communal spaces that support women and their identity development in STEM. Counterspaces are community-driven, safe spaces that nurture a sense of belonging through strategies that are validating for intersectional identity development. In this paper, we review existing research about counterspaces that support women and women of colour in STEM and use the framework of Feminine Ethics of Care to analyze these spaces.

Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen, Katelin Hynes, Sanya Cardoza, & Jenn Muchmaker will be in attendance representing their team and presenting their paper Towards a Community of Care: Counterspaces for Women in sTem Education.

Click here to view the conference programing

IDEASˢ Lab & Future Black Female Presents: Building STEM Capital Virtual Conference September 13th, 2021 (September, 2021)

IDEASˢ Lab & Future Black Female Presents: Building STEM Capital Virtual Conference
September 13th, 2021

Future Black Female (FBF) and IDEASˢ Lab at Ontario Tech University present a knowledge synthesis of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) women in STEM. Join our virtual conference to uncover the systemic factors impacting BIPOC women in universities. What does it take to success in the face of underrepresentation; under resourcing; and high dropout rates?

Come Learn, inspire, and wonder through prevocalic conversations. Let us advance the successes and representations of BIPOC women in STEM.

Panel 1 - Empowerment Through Research (10:30am-12:00pm)
Panel 2 - Counterspace & Community (3:00pm-4:30pm)
Panel 3 - Identity (5:30pm-7:00pm)

Or watch the recording here:

IDEASˢ Lab & Future Black Female Presents: Gaining STEM Capital (Pre-Conference) August 30th, 2021 5:30-7:30 (August, 2021)

IDEASˢ Lab & Future Black Female Presents: Gaining STEM Capital (Pre-Conference)
August 30th, 2021 5:30-7:30

Join us for a round table highlighting BIPOC woman student's experience in university STEM programs. On this evening we will be discussing themes of Intersectionality, Counterspaces and Community, Empowerment Through Research, & STEM Identity.

Or watch the recording here:

FIELDS MathEd Forum: April 24th, 2021

FIELDS MathEd Forum: April 24th, 2021

In response to Ontario's recent addition of social-emotional learning (SEL) to the new (2020) elementary mathematics curriculum, we will be exploring the broader topic of the affectual side of learning and what this means for mathematics teaching and research. Join us for a keynote speaker, a panel discussion, and a breakout room activity.

Key Note Speaker: Dr. Tapo Chimbganda, Future Black Female
Panel Host: Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen
Panel: Luxshu Ambigaibagan, Toronto District School Board, Judy Larsen, University of the Fraser Valley, Olga Fellus, University of Ottawa, Marc Husband, Toronto District School Board
Breakout Room Leaders: Keisha Deoraj, Ontario Tech University, Andrew DiVito, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, Katelin Hynes, Ontario Tech University
Online April 24th, 2021 10:00am-1:30pm EDT

Click View Details & Register

+ Read More

The Importance of social emotional learners for the inclusion of all learners

Dr. Tapo Chimbganda (Future Black Female)

Abstract: "Careers that require the mastery of social-emotional skills have outpaced growth in all other occupations- and employers increasingly look for these skills in their employees. 79 percent of employers overwhelmingly identify social- emotional skills as being the most important qualities needed for success-and at the same time, the hardest qualities to find in the labor force." cfchildren.org
Why do we educate children? Is it to prepare them for life as responsible citizens? Or perhaps we want them to make lots of money and become wealthy? Maybe, we don't really think about the why and simply follow the dictates of society, the laws of the land, the expectations of our peers. Whether we think about the reason as educators or parents, we need to broaden the scope of education to include social-emotional learning. As a lifelong learner, a psychotherapist, and an educator, my journey has been traumatic to say the least. The skills that have counted the most and enabled me to develop resilience, tenacity, and creativity are emotional regulation, self-control, communication, and positive thinking. These are social-emotional skills. And these were skills I needed when I was learning maths.

Panel on Social Emotional Learning

Panelists: Luxshu Ambigaibagan, Toronto District School Board, Judy Larsen, University of the Fraser Valley, Olga Fellus, University of Ottawa, Marc Husband, Toronto District School Board

Abstract: Panelists will share perspectives on the ways that social-emotional learning is being translated into practice and research. What does SEL mean to each panelist in context to their work in mathematics education?

Breakout Rooms, followed by Q&A

Abstract: Create a Problem Tree and use the problem tree to come up with 3 questions. Breakout Room participants later have an opportunity to pose questions to the panel and to Dr. Tapo Chimbganda.

- Read Less

Faculty of Education researcher receives funding to explore the retention of Women of Colour in STEM degree programs (March, 2021)

Faculty of Education researcher receives funding to explore the retention of Women of Colour in STEM degree programs

Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, and Dr. Tapo Chimbganda, Founder and Executive Director, Future Black Female, recently received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Ryerson Future Skills Centre to examine retention efforts for Women of Colour in post-secondary science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

Two Ontario Tech University students will join Dr. Ruttenberg-Rozen and Dr. Chimbganda in this research: Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies and Digital Technology student Chantal McKenzie, and Master of Arts in Education student Katelin Hynes.

The team will explore successful and unsuccessful retention efforts in North American colleges and universities. They also seek to identify how digital tools and technology can be used or developed to leverage support efforts.

Click to read the final report here.

Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen Featured in Oshawa This Week Article: Why is there an achievement gap for Black students in Durham? (February, 2021)

Dr. Robyn Ruttenber-Rozen Featured in Oshawa This Week Article: Why is there an achievement gap for Black students in Durham?

Click Here to View Full Article

Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen's Research Recognized by MPP Marit Stiles (NDP) in Provincial Parliamentary debate on math testing of teachers. (March, 2019)

Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen's Research Recognized by MPP Marit Stiles (NDP) in Provincial Parliamentary debate on math testing of teachers.

Click Here to View Full Proceedings

Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen Featured in Education News Media Article: Doing the math: Does Ontario's elementary mathematics approach add up? (September, 2018)

Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen Featured in Education News Media Article: Doing the math: Does Ontario's elementary mathematics approach add up?

Click Here to View Full Article