HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY • OFFICE FOR RESEARCH & SPONSORED PROGRAMS
The
SPRING 2016 ISSUE 4
GRANT Seeker
A spotlight on excellence in grant development by a Hofstra University employee
M. David Burghardt, PhD By Owen Lewis
Dr. M. David Burghardt is motivated by a passion to teach people the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education (STEM). As a professor of engineering (and former chairperson of the Department of Engineering and Computer Science) and co-director of the Center for Technological Literacy, he is nationally recognized for his research in the area of STEM and innovative method of teaching through interconnected and non-traditional disciplinary thinking.
M. David Burghardt
work that extends far beyond the gates of Hofstra, and often include collaborative efforts with higher-education institutions and a network of primary-education schools throughout New York state that provide accessibility and education to all backgrounds.
A study Dr. Burghardt is particularly proud of concerns interconnected learning – Upon completing a doctorate at the University “breaking down the silos of math, science of Connecticut, Dr. Burghardt went to work at and engineering and looking at ways” to his undergraduate alma mater, the United connect them to make it “more understandable States Merchant Marine Academy. A new for students to learn fundamental core father of 9-month-old twin girls, he eventually knowledge.” Sponsored by the Gates made the choice to leave his tenured position Foundation, Dr. Burghardt worked with at the Merchant Marine Academy for the Dr. Xiang Fu, associate professor of computer “vibrant, untenured world” of Hofstra in the science, and Ms. Donna Migdol, adjunct fall of 1983. With a variety of programs, professor of education, along with Dr. Deborah Hofstra allowed him the “opportunity to collaborate with faculty in different disciplines” Hecht of the CUNY Center for Advanced Study in Education and Dr. Jennie Chiu from and to pursue “research interests that could be the University of Virginia to improve math non-traditional.” This related especially to his aptitude at two middle schools in Paterson, interest in K-16 STEM education. “When I created the Center for STEM Research, I asked New Jersey, shortly after Superstorm Sandy had devastated the coast. “We used engineering then President James Shuart if he could help design to show that we could improve math me attract leaders in industries. It did not cost learning in a high-needs district. The results Hofstra anything, I raised all the money,” Dr. Burghardt remarked. “President Shuart and were wonderfully positive,” Dr. Burghardt said. the Provost, Dr. Herman Berliner, lent their names and were very supportive of my efforts.” In July 2014 the center received a $2.54 million grant from the National Science Foundation to Professor Burghardt’s determination and hard support a five-year project called WISE Guys work proved successful, and brought life to the and Gals – Boys & Girls as WISEngineering center. The programs have helped Hofstra earn STEM Learners. The project, in collaboration a statewide and national reputation in the area with the U.S. Department of Energy’s of science and technology education. “I had no Brookhaven National Laboratory, is currently idea at the time that it would become what it introducing more than 6,000 middle school-age has now. At this point in time, we have had children to STEM-based learning and takes 13 National Science Foundation projects that place in after-school programs at 25 Boys & I have worked on with my colleagues, like Girls Clubs on Long Island and in the New Mike Hacker.” For the past two decades, York metropolitan area. Some of the activities Dr. Burghardt and his colleagues have been Dr. Burghardt, along with colleagues and awarded more than $30 million in National undergraduate students acting as facilitators, Science Foundation grants for their focus in oversees includes the designing of a speaker for STEM research. These grants have promoted an iPhone, and the creation of a prosthetic leg.
“We have things that are engaging to them, that they can work on together.” Collaboration is key to the process, and Dr. Burghardt has noticed communication improves when children work with each other on a project that interests them. The paramount theme of Professor Burghardt’s work is his commitment to teach children about STEM in a society driven, and at times guided, by technology. The research he undertakes and the lessons he teaches are meant to improve technological literacy for their benefit and well-being. In relation to children, “the whole idea is to create a mindset that they could be an aerospace engineer designing a rocket, for example. It’s about not closing yourself off from that avenue prematurely.” At his foundation, Dr. Burghardt acknowledged that he is “driven by a sort of patriotic mission.” Global competition for employment is intensifying, and the acceleration of technological innovation has altered the desired skill sets employers require. “For our country to be great, we need a citizenry that is able to use STEM effectively, to understand what the career choices are. I would like our country to maintain where it’s at, and to improve upon that. Computational thinking is something that can be used in a variety of disciplines. Teaching how to use engineering and computer science knowledge to help in all fields is really useful.” Recently Dr. Burghardt and his co-director, Dr. Michael Hacker, submitted two proposals to the National Science Foundation. Dr. Burghardt has requested more than $2.2 million for a four-year project, WISE Kindergarten Kids – Students/Parents/Teachers as WISEngineering STEM Learners. The project intends to work with kindergarten students, their parents or caregivers and their teachers through web-based and hands-on engineering design that integrates mathematics and science to encourage STEM learning. This past October, Dr. Hacker submitted a proposal called Bridging the Gap, a three-year project that seeks to “bridge the gap” between high school biology instruction and workforce preparedness. It is through their research that Dr. Burghardt and his colleagues continue to inspire a lifelong love of learning in the generations meant to inherit the world.
Hofstra thanks you!
Your scholarly achievements enhance Hofstra’s reputation as a leading educational institution. If you are interested in pursuing a grant opportunity or have any questions, please contact the ORSP at 516-463-6810.