Student and professor at Morehead State University’s Craft Academy present findings at Japan conference

A student at Morehead State University’s Craft Academy, Kiera Fehr, and assistant professor for the Academy, Dr. Rachel Rogers, recently had a presentation at the International Academic Forum’s 14th Asian Conference on Education (or ACE2022), which was held in Tokyo, Japan last November.

The two represented Morehead State University and the Craft Academy at the conference. Their presentation was on research they conducted on the impact of informal STEM learning on student success.

The research that Fehr and Dr. Rogers conducted looked at the impact of non-traditional learning experiences outside of the classroom on the success of students inside the classroom. They found students were able to learn and grow from these experiences in six different ways: new experiences, self efficacy, perseverance, desire for credibility, new skills and understanding, and a knowledge of the impact of future STEM careers. The research found these six areas could be broken down into two types, Initial Codes, which are created before reviewing the research instrument, and Naturally Occuring, which emerged throughout the process.

At ACE2022, Dr. Rogers and Fehr were able to attend sessions on the latest education research and network with other academics and researchers.

In an article about the trip on the school’s website, Fehr talked about her experience, saying, “This was my first experience spending time in another country, so everything was automatically interesting to me. My favorite part of the trip was the conference dinner. Sitting with professionals from South Africa, Portugal, Australia, Britain, China, and Japan, I was able to have the special experience of listening to the interactions and conversations that connected us all. It was exciting to spend the evening laughing and connecting with people from the most different backgrounds.”

She went on to talk about what she will take away from the trip: “Overall, it was a superb trip which I believe changed my life. I now understand the expectations, traditions, and lifestyle of living in Japan, which has shifted the way I view our society and how I understand the world. I have to admit that I enjoyed the fun souvenirs, tasty treats, and genuine conversations I experienced on this research trip. I am grateful to my mentor, Dr. Rachel Rogers, who gave me the direction and time needed to complete this research. I am extremely lucky that she embarked on this adventure with me and supported me through the entire project.”

More information about Morehead State University can be found on the school’s website, and more information about MSU’s Craft Academy can be found there as well.