Kumaridevi Sivam

devi@mail.utexas.edu

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I study the practice of mathematics and science at two levels. The first is at an epistemological-cultural level. At this level I am interested in what people perceive to be the characteristics and boundaries of mathematics and science. In this area I am currently investigating the mathematical practice of music and dance, especially in Latin American, Native American, and African traditions. The second is at a political-economic level. At this level I am interested in the practice of science by citizens as part of community advocacy and in how collaboration (or lack of collaboration) with local experts affects the accuracy of scientific studies. At both levels, my practical interest is in educational curricula. Our beliefs about mathematics and science and how we portray these facets of human endeavor to the next generation critically determine educational equity.

EDUCATION

M.A. in Curriculum Studies, Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction, The University of Texas at Austin.

Expected date of graduation: Dec. 2006.

Thesis: Bridging Disciplines to Build Equity: Interdisciplinary Mathematics Through the Lens of Critical Multicultural Education

Thesis Supervisors: Dr. Lupita Carmona, Mathematics and Science Education and Dr. Cinthia Salinas, Curriculum Studies

B.S. in Science, Portland State University, March 2005.

Professional development sequence in Geographic Information Systems. Portland Community College 2002-03.

EXPERIENCE

Model-Eliciting Activity Research Group

Mathematics and Science Education, The University of Texas at Austin

Graduate Research Assistant. Sept. 2006 – Present. Participant Jan. 2006 – Present.

21st Century Community Learning Centers

After-School Instructor, Grades 6-8. Aug. 2005 – Jun. 2006

Designed and taught courses integrating academics with extracurricular offerings.

Attended math class with four cohorts periodically for one semester to achieve better integration of after-school enhancement curricula with district curricula.

Vaughn Gross Center for Reading and Language Arts, The University of Texas at Austin

Graduate Research Assistant. Aug. 2005 – May 2006

Implemented program of instruction in small groups of 2nd and 3rd graders at two schools daily as part of large scale University-school district partnership.

Nickerson Center School: Portland Public School program partnered on-site with adolescent psychiatric treatment center

Educational Assistant. (two-month practicum), 2005.

Provided one-on-one support to high-need students during day; co-taught science periods; represented faculty at classes taught by guest instructors and provided feedback to faculty on these classes; participated in daily faculty meetings on particular student needs.

Graduate School of Education, Portland State University

PT Student Employee. 2004 – 2005.

Provided administrative support to faculty of Graduate Teacher Education Program including student records management and materials preparation for courses, publications, mailings.

Directed a week-long event wherein 250+ new applicants were evaluated by teams of faculty in small-group activity-interviews.

Rose Haven: Daytime resource center for women and children experiencing homelessness, Catholic Charities of Oregon

Volunteer Intern. 2004.

Founded and facilitated weekly small-group workshops in constructive self-image for adult clients in two series (summer and fall).

Designed, progressively refined curricula for above workshops through observation and through consultation with center staff and partnering university faculty.

Worked in team to provide direct services (food, clothing, assistance with paperwork) to women and children.

Association for India's Development, Inc. (AID), Portland, OR Chapter: International volunteer-run 501(c)(3) organization promoting sustainable, equitable and just development by working with grassroots organizations and movements in India.

Volunteer. 2002 - 2005.

Collaborated with other volunteers to organize, execute several yearly community events for awareness, fundraising.

Participated in regular reading groups, guest-speaker events to increase my understanding of development issues.

Organized local forums, advocacy around specific issues such as Bhopal gas leak.

In team of two: researched, wrote, and administered an interactive educational quiz for a mixed-age crowd of 300.

Oregon State University, Dept. of Entomology

FT student employee. Summer 2000.

Surveyed, mapped wetland invasive plant; initiated community education in river basin about this species.

Assisted PhD student in design, securing sites for experiment in invasive plant effects on plant, insect community.

Solely responsible for fieldwork (plant community sampling, night moth trapping) for 50% of study sites.

Conducted experiments on herbivory, life cycle of biocontrol organisms.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Field Office, Portland OR

PT/ Seasonal FT Employee (GS4: Biotechnician). 1997-1999.

Assessed proposed impacts to aquatic habitat under Clean Water Act Section 404 through site visits, project plans, maps, consultation with specialists; drafted comment letters; worked with applicant and permit agency to minimize, mitigate impact, restore habitat, monitor. For major projects, also conducted literature reviews, convened interagency meetings.

Created, maintained, linked databases for my division’s programs and research; facilitated GIS analysis by gathering, standardizing data from various state, federal agencies; prepared reports for consultants, Service, and partners.

Increased my division’s coordination with other programs within and outside of our agency.

Tualatin Riverkeepers, Sherwood, OR: 501(c)(3) river stewardship organization, 600 members.

Board Member, Volunteer. 1996-2000.

Board of Directors: collaborated in all decision-making, including policy, finances; regularly consulted with membership; worked closely with staff (3 yrs).

Citizen Action Committee: Wrote letters, testified advocating for wetlands and water quality protection, effective use of mitigation funds, etc.; shared natural resource law, biology background; facilitated citizen communication with government; supported smaller local organizations (2 yrs).

Co-coordinated, -guided events for 10 - 300 diverse participants (clean-ups, educational canoe trips) (4yrs).

Member of small committee responsible for highly successful 1st annual fundraiser auction/dinner; participated in all fundraising drives (4yrs).

CONFERENCES, THESES AND PUBLICATIONS

Sivam, K. (2006). Middle School Mathematics through Muraling. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME-NA). Merida, Mexico, Nov. 9-12, 2006. (upcoming)

Sivam, K. (2006). Bridging Disciplines to Build Equity: Interdisciplinary Mathematics Through the Lens of Critical Multicultural Education. Masters Thesis, The University of Texas at Austin. (upcoming)

TRAVEL ABROAD GREATER THAN ONE MONTH IN DURATION

North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt) - 2006

India (Tamil Nadu) – 1997

Malaysia (Penninsular) - 1993

GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS