Promoting Equitable STEM Education Worldwide: A Uyiosa Ugiagbe’s Mission

As an advanced degree holder in Mathematics Education and recipient of the prestigious 2024 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award from the University of Georgia, Uyiosa Ugiagbe is driven by a mission to ensure that all STEM students receive the best possible STEM education.

His motivation stems from a deep-rooted belief that every student, regardless of their background and membership identity (race, gender, class), should have equal opportunities to pursue their desired career paths without fear or limitations imposed by inadequate academic experiences.

Through his collaboration with Dr. Susan Cannon on her NSF-funded project, he has been actively working to enhance mathematics teaching capabilities in Georgia’s racially diverse rural communities (USA).

Their research findings, presented at the Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Conference, 2023, and the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) Conference, 2024, both in the United States, underscore the importance of integrating equity, and cultural considerations, and innovative tools into mathematics education.

These presentations not only contribute to the discourse on equity in STEM education but also demonstrate the potential to translate theoretical concepts into practical teaching strategies that address the urgent need for inclusivity in our increasingly diverse classrooms.

Additionally, his extensive experience in STEM education, spanning eight years and encompassing roles at all levels from elementary school to university, has provided him with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the field.

Throughout his journey, he has come to realise that while he can directly impact the lives of the students he teaches directly, the most effective way to ensure that STEM students across diverse cultures have access to quality STEM education is by focusing on the preparation of prospective STEM teachers.

This realisation led him to his current role as a Teaching and Research Assistant in Mathematics Education at the University of Georgia, where he has the privilege of directly shaping the future of STEM education.

Through his work with preservice STEM teachers across the continents of Africa and North America, Ugiagbe is contributing to the development of a future STEM workforce that is better prepared to meet the needs of STEM students from all backgrounds and membership identities, ultimately paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable STEM field.