As change agents at our university, we sought to facilitate a transition within our STEM college toward more extensive use of evidence-based instructional practices (EBIPs) that promote student-centered learning. We sought a multifaceted approach for this challenge, with the goal of achieving lasting change among the faculty, resulting in the…

Many studies illustrate the positive influences of undergraduate research experiences on student learning, attitudes, and retention in the sciences. At our institution, over 90% of the biology majors surveyed reported a desire to participate in undergraduate research, but only 3% per year have the opportunity to work in a traditional…

An interdisciplinary group of faculty members from Tufts University developed an undergraduate civic science course designed to help students better understand and interpret the broad, sociocultural impacts of science. The course teaches principles of civic science and was designed around four facets of learning. These facets lay groundwork for…

Education research provides a range of curricular reform options that can lead to improved student course outcomes. These options can appear easy to implement with the hope of immediate increases in student learning. In 2006 the Ithaca College Physics Department went down this path by moving all of their 100-level courses out of lecture halls and…

Lab components of undergraduate science courses typically have students complete highly directed cookbook-like laboratory activities. These experiences rarely engage students in a meaningful manner and do not accurately convey what the work of science entails. With funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), we have created more…

The authors wanted to improve student learning of evolutionary concepts by integrating content across the biology major. In this article they describe the process used to develop support among members of the department and administration to implement and measure the outcomes of curricular reforms.

Describes a two-semester laboratory program designed to motivate students. The program consists of computer-oriented modules and discovery approach laboratory exercises. Students complete similar computer/laboratory material during the first semester but elect one of three tracks during the second semester (computer, every-day life, and…

The ELMO (Embedded Learning Modules) curriculum reform project has designed science curricula for specific nonscience students that fulfill core requirements and demonstrate how science can be engaging and relevant. ELMO students experience science through active learning and group activities that encourage them to make connections between science…

Discusses need for and nature of science courses for the nonspecialist, outlining the content of an integrated four-year program devoted to sciences (first two years), technology (third year) and science/technology/human problems (fourth year). Includes recommendations for implementing such a program. (Author/JN)

Describes efforts by Central Washington State College to take courses and programs to the community thus negating the student on-campus residence requirement. Illustrates the effect of this effort by listing the enrollment figures for some science courses taught off campus. (GS)

Chemistry Teaching Associate Program brings chemistry teachers from high schools to a university campus and treats them as college faculty members. Intensive cooperation among professors, teachers, and graduate assistants has resulted in the revision of undergraduate curriculum and stronger pre-service programs. (PS)

Describes a natural science program that offers twenty-five or more different topics each semester. Presents examples of the topics available and outlines the advantages of this approach. (GS)

Focuses on the response of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the congressional authorization committees to the NSF sponsored precollege science programs. The article also summarizes and analyzes some of the results of the survey conducted by the Research Triangle Institute (RTI), North Carolina. (HM)

Describes the science program devised by Cantonsville Community College to provide nursing and other paramedical students with an adequate knowledge of science. The program recognizes and attempts to remedy the weak science backgrounds of many students training for paramedical careers. (JR)