Update from Daphne...

Hi Everyone, and happy 2010! I hope this note finds you all happy and healthy. I'm still in Indiana...finishing up my PhD in Educational Psychology with a primary focus in gifted education and a related focus in engineering education. I passed my proposal defense before heading home to NC for the holidays, so now it's time to collect data, analyze, write, and attempt to graduate by the summer! My dissertation research is on the creation of a quantitative instrument to assess upper elementary and middle school students' knowledge of, interest in, and efficacy towards engineering. Since coming to Purdue and working for the Institute for P-12 Engineering Research and Learning, I have become passionate about the importance of STEM education and want to continue working to help teachers integrate engineering into their curriculum. I've started applying for faculty positions... (a bit scary!)... none were available at good ol' FSU. However, I have applied for a couple positions back in the south. I would like to be closer to home... and in warmer weather! These Indiana winters are brutal! It's still just Grace (my Siamese cat) and me, so we are pretty much free to go anywhere the job market takes us! Overall, it's been a wonderful year, filled with the blessings of good health, sweet friends, and fascinating opportunities... I can't wait to see what 2010 has in store! Love and hugs to all of you!