Fractions are foundational for success in algebra and STEM, but they are notoriously difficult for students. In past work, two separate branches of research from psychology and math education have studied fractions knowledge using different, isolated approaches. In this dissertation, I synthesize research from both fields about proportional…

The purpose of this study was to determine if groups of educators differed in their ability to adequately recognize and report cases of child abuse. Furthermore, if there were any differences in the perception of preparedness level (pre-service training and in-service training) among the educators. This study applied a quantitative method which…

Problem: Nurse practitioners lack knowledge and skills to effectively communicate with D/deaf individuals which potentiates risk for health disparities and gaps in care. Graduate nursing programs rarely incorporate D/deaf-focused education in their curriculums. Methods: This descriptive quality improvement project implemented the first…

One pedagogical technique that promotes conceptual understanding in mathematics learners is self-explanation integrated with worked examples (e.g., Rittle-Johnson et al., 2017). In this work, we implemented self-explanations with worked examples (correct and erroneous) in a software-based Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) for learning algebra. We…

The current study examined elementary (or primary) school teachers' knowledge of student anxiety and evidence-based anxiety reduction strategies, whether this knowledge was associated with their use of evidence-based anxiety reduction strategies in the classroom, and correlates of teacher knowledge and use of anxiety reduction strategies in the…

This dissertation aimed to advance the field of biology education in several ways. First, we aimed to demonstrate if, and to what extent, student-generated conceptual models can be used on summative assessments to accurately assess student understanding of gene expression. Next, we described patterns of changes students make to conceptual models…

In chemistry, building arguments and applying concept knowledge is closely linked to evaluating claims, supporting claims with evidence, and justifying the linkage of evidence to claim with reasoning. However, previous studies revealed that, when building arguments, students experience challenges either in differentiating between argument…

Diversity in teams has been shown to enhance creativity and innovation, particularly in teams where all members felt a sense of belonging. Creating an inclusive environment in a lab setting that provides a sense of belonging to all is challenging. This is particularly true in a field like Biomedical Engineering/Bioengineering where diversity is…

The recent uptick in students exhibiting mental health needs within American public schools has emerged as a concerning trend amongst educators. A plethora of research has occurred on the proliferation of student mental health needs in schools, along with its consequential influence on both teaching and learning. Absent from the current literature…

While secondary student mental health has been a major focus of research for the past couple of decades, the role of the classroom teacher in relation to student mental health has been much less prominent. As such, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore secondary teacher experiences with student mental health and teacher…

The problem was general and special educators' perceptions of educational accomplishments and disability needs in twice-exceptional (2e) children may have possible drawbacks for referral admittance into the gifted program curriculum. Little research had been undertaken regarding the teacher perceptions of 2e on the identification process, creating…

Science reform efforts over the years have addressed the need to make science engaging and accessible for all learners. These efforts attend to multiple aspects of science teaching and learning, including, but not limited to, more intentional focus on teaching students about the nature of science, as well as increased use of Culturally Relevant…

Despite being a critical emergent literacy skill and an indicator of risk for later reading difficulties, relatively little is known about how alphabet knowledge develops over time. This study utilized a person-centered approach and longitudinal sample of 998 preschool-aged children (M = 56.50 months old) to examine patterns in letter name and…

This article describes the organization of a one-day ChemEd Summit that brought together 73 participants from academic, industrial, government, and nonprofit chemical sciences organizations with the aim to guide future initiatives and collaborative strategies to enhance student readiness for the workforce. Registered participants were asked to…

Nurses acknowledge that their understanding of the shortcomings in the utilization of medical devices stems from insufficient knowledge about their correct usage. The use of Quick Response (QR) technology has paved a new gateway for accessing information and resources. The available evidence confirmed the usefulness of QR codes for use in clinical…