MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Reuben Selase Asempapa, assistant professor of mathematics education, and Tyler S. Love, assistant professor of elementary/middle grades STEM education and director of the Capital Area Institute for Mathematics and Science (CAIMS), recently won the Outstanding Research Award from The Council on Technology and Engineering Teacher Education (CTETE) for their article “Teaching Math Modeling through 3D-Printing: Examining the Influence of an Integrative Professional Development.” 

CTETE provides leadership in the areas of research, standards, and professional development for technology teacher educators. 

“It is my great honor to be a recipient of this outstanding research award,” Asempapa said. “I am pleased that my research activities and mathematical modeling education efforts have been recognized.”    

Asempapa and Love’s article discusses the results from a CAIMS workshop that showed middle school math, technology, and engineering educators how to collaboratively teach mathematical modeling through 3D printing. 

“It is always nice to receive recognition for your work, but the real impact occurs when the research helps inform P-12 standards and curriculum development, pedagogy, student learning, and other practical applications,” Love said. 

Love and Asempapa said their work helps bridge the gap between research and practice to benefit local Pennsylvania school districts. 

"We have such unique opportunities here at Penn State Harrisburg to foster collaborative and scholarship accomplishments,” Asempapa said.

Love also received the Distinguished Technology and Engineering Professional award from the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA). The award recognizes technology, innovation, design, and engineering educators who have been “highly competent and active in the technology and engineering education field.”