In an era of global competition and a technology-based economy, it is increasingly important that college students graduate with a solid foundation of knowledge and understanding of science and mathematics. They must be able to use their scientific knowledge on their jobs and in their role as citizens of a society where complex policy and resource…

One strategy for improving the quality of undergraduate education, with potential impact over decades, involves greater attention to the preparation of doctoral students who will soon fill the faculty ranks. Doctoral education is a time of socialization for future careers, including faculty work. In recognition of the important role of doctoral…

In this chapter, the author begins with something that is nearly self-evident: a primary reason that STEM faculty members are so successful in research, even in the face of constantly changing and exponentially growing information, is the highly intentional program of professional preparation that they receive. For over a hundred years,…

One of the most important elements in achieving significant curricular and pedagogical innovation is creating a climate that promotes and acknowledges the contributions of those who engage in these efforts. It is critical that this climate be systemic, existing at the department, college, and university levels. In the past few years, the view that…

The investments of federal agencies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education are aimed at a single core question: How can educators ensure that the United States will have a well-prepared and innovative science and technology workforce in an era of increasing global competition? As the exploration of what this entails…

Undergraduate education in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) needs improvement, a conclusion that multiple national reports over the past two decades have reached. Critiques of STEM education may emphasize different aspects of the STEM undergraduate education problem. Nevertheless, each delivers one clear and…

Efforts to reform and improve teaching and learning in the undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines have grown increasingly stronger and more focused over the past two decades. Since the early 1990s, some notable unifying developments have given coherence to such initiatives, as well as other developments…

The 1996 Advisory Committee report to the National Science Foundation, "Shaping the Future: New Expectations for Undergraduate Education in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology," called for many changes in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. The committee's overriding recommendation was that "all…

The Academic Excellence Workshop at California State Polytechnic University (Pomona) has greatly improved performance and persistence of women and Latino science, mathematics, and engineering majors taking calculus, the crucial gateway course. This suggests persistence and success are more related to college classroom experiences and expectations…