The engineering students understand the engineering concepts effectively when they conduct the experiments in the laboratory. Hence, laboratory is as important as theory; however, the ill-equipped laboratory facilities affect the students' learnability. The virtual laboratories may help the students overcome the problems faced by them in the…

In STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) courses, undergraduate laboratory classes are vital for students to develop competencies such as critical observation, collaboration, critical thinking, technical, and problem-solving skills. Thus, for students to successfully acquire these competencies, preparation for laboratory classes…

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing restrictions are in place in most public settings, and the undergraduate laboratory is no exception. In order to accommodate social distancing requirements, many laboratory exercises are being redeployed in an online format, which deprives students of experiential learning opportunities in a real…

This research aims at investigating the effectiveness of the Predict-Explain-Observe-Discuss-Explain (PEODE) based laboratory work activities on pre-service science teachers' science process skills. A quasi-experimental research model with pre- and post-test via control group was employed in the research. The semi-experimental study was based on…

The interaction between water and surfaces is observed in our daily lives and is used in laboratories to study materials properties, such as interfacial tension. Making the connection between fundamental scientific phenomena and everyday observations is a powerful method of highlighting the importance and relevance of science to the K-12…

This paper describes a comprehensive review of 31 quasi or experimental research studies from the past decade on the effect of PhET simulations on students' conceptual understanding of physics. Two questions guided the review: (i) To what extent do PhET simulations enhance students' conceptual understanding of physics? (ii) What are the best ways…

COVID-19 restrictions required a transition of our Soil Science and Forest Soils courses to an online format. A pre-transition survey found that ~10% of students enrolled in our courses lacked high-speed internet capable of streaming videos and/or computers compatible with the applications in our Learning Management System (LMS). To ensure that…

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the mass shutdown of universities across the United States in the spring of 2020. As the pandemic progressed, regional regulations resulted in a broad range of teaching modalities for the 2020-2021 academic year. While some regions remained tightly locked down (resulting in online-only instruction), others allowed…

Project-based learning (PJBL) is student-centered and teamwork educational activity that prepares students for the challenge of real-world problems. This kind of instructional method is highly recommended by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).This paper describes an authentic project that focuses on the preparation of…

Introduction: The present study aims to investigate second language graduate students' academic writing socialization in relation to their experiences at writing center in North American higher educational context. The study documents how graduate students are socialized to use academic language in order to participate effectively within their…

One of the most important issues in accessible science education is creating a laboratory workspace accessible to blind students or students with visual impairments (VI). Although these students are often provided access to the science lectures, they are usually denied full participation in hands-on laboratory work. Current solutions to this…

This paper describes the design and effectiveness of a 360° (identified as 360) virtual laboratory tour which was implemented in a second-year undergraduate chemistry subject to familiarize the students with the research laboratory environment, equipment, and skills needed to undertake the subject and first laboratory session. We include step by…

Including undergraduate research in STEM education is a well-supported and growing high-impact practice that has been made much more scalable through integrating these experiences into the classroom. Here we describe a new biochemistry Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) that follows a design-to-data workflow with a strong…

For many students, their science education up to the age of 16 is their only formal introduction to genetics. They live in an age where the results of genomic studies will have increasing importance for their health and well-being. This article uses Piaget's conceptions of concrete and formal thinking as tools for considering the conceptual…

Increased pressures of internationalization compel universities worldwide to search for successful education models and frameworks that can enhance their entrepreneurial status and international competitiveness. This study aims to explore the political interests, power dynamics, and consequences of transferring educational systems, models, and…