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Rene A. Pico

Rene A. Pico

Associate Professor/Chair

Education Faculty


picora@westminster.edu

(724) 946-7283


Campus Location:
   Old Main
   301A
Mailbox: 145

 

About Me


Hola! Alo! Ciao! I am an associate professor of science and English Language Learner methods for the School of Education.  My college career unfolded in an unconventional way.  I earned a BS in agricultural sciences and engineering from Penn State.  After experiencing the satisfying outcomes of the teaching profession, I decided to return to Penn State to work on my graduate education. I earned my Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in science education K-12 and an M. Ed. in Bilingual and Multicultural Studies. In my recent past, I worked at Carlow University as a STEM and ELL educator in the Education Department for 17 years. Before moving to Pittsburgh, I worked for the University of Puerto Rico as an educator in the Teacher Preparation Program at the Mayaguez Campus. During my tenure at UPR, I moved to the Central Administration in San Juan where I served as Curriculum and Assessment Coordinator for the Scope, Sequence & Coordination Project (NSTA) and the Statewide Systemic Initiative (NSF) under Dr. Manuel Gómez. 

I am 1 part educator, 1 part researcher, 1 part artist, 1 part writer, 1 part traveler, and 1 part chicken farmer.  Too many parts?  The multidisciplinary prospects of life engage me passionately.  I look to establish a productive STEAM education niche at Westminster College. I’m a professional with a high creative capability based on a scientific, technological and research background which allows me to plan, design, assess and manage innovative and authentic educational enterprises.  My specialties and research interests focus on STEM/STEAM curriculum design; pre-conceptions of pre-service teachers about major scientific ideas, in-service teacher professional development; and the integration of instructional technologies and applications in science and ELL education.

Are you also thrilled by the integration of science, technology, the language arts and the visual arts to encourage scientific research in school children? I will be eager to have a chat with prospective students about our Westminster College education programs or work with educators and their organizations. Join me! Don’t resist saying hello!