The Wyoming Triad (WyTRIAD) is a structured and systemic professional development process that is based on a constructivist philosophy of learning. It integrates research about the teaching-and-learning process, national standards, calls for reform, and selected concepts and strategies into practical application in the classroom.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
WyTRIAD Facilitator
Joseph Stepans, professor of science and mathematics education at the University of Wyoming, earned a bachelor's degree in physics from California State University at Stanislaus, and a master's degree in physics and a doctorate in science education from the University of Wyoming.
Upon completing his Ph.D., Dr. Stepans accepted a faculty position in Iran to develop curricula and teach graduate courses in natural sciences and educational research. In 1981 he joined the faculty at the University of Wyoming where he has taught numerous undergraduate and graduate courses in the content and methods of mathematics and science to prospective K-12 teachers. Dr Stepans' research focuses on students' mathematics and science misconceptions and on effective ways to bring about a conceptual change in students' learning. To aid in that effort, he launched WyTRIAD in 1991, a nationally recognized professional development model that has been implemented in over 30 school districts in six states. In addition, Dr. Stepans has authored or co-authored several books and numerous articles on the subjects, including Targeting Students' Science Misconceptions, Changing the Classroom from Within, written with B. Saigo and C. Ebert, and Challenging Students to DO Meaningful Mathematics, co-authored by Linda Hutchison.
Contact Information:Dr. Joseph Stepans
University of Wyoming
Department 3992
1000 E. University Ave
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-4924
Fax: (307) 766-3792
E-mail: jstepans@uwyo.edu
Contact the SMTC Web Coordinator at SMTCwebmaster@uwyo.edu