Education Research
Educational resources to support your scientific teaching endeavors.
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A recent survey of over 700 Summer Institutes alumni revealed that instructors used more scientific teaching in their courses when they saw more supports available to them (e.g., helpful peers, access to online resources, positive student responses). Seeing challenges to implementation (e.g., not having enough time, not feeling confident with scientific teaching) actually had little impact on instructors’ use of scientific teaching. Instructors were able to overcome such challenges with enough supports. By focusing on the network of available supports and working to identify and generate new forms of support, instructors may increase their capacity to adopt and develop evidence-based practices. (Bathgate et al., submitted)
Active Learning
Videos and Resources Showcasing Active Learning Classrooms
Active learning method that involves peers learning from one another
Video featuring a classroom setup devoted to active learning. An active learning method that involves peers learning from one another
Repository for Envisioning Active Learning in STEM Classrooms (REALISE)
Step-by-step instructions on how to implement active learning in the classroom
Scientific Teaching Series - Active Learning Module
Comprehensive resource of active learning with embedded videos, and more
Biology (from PULSE Community)
Sample video featuring active learning in a biology classroom
Teaching Strategies and Tools
Teaching Strategies and Tools Supporting Scientific Teaching Principles
An internet-based student response system that does not require physical clickers. Students can use a laptop or cell phone to respond to polls. Can be used to monitor student learning before or during class. A free plan exists for educators.
A teaching approach where students often watch short video clips before class on course content and apply what they have learned in class using active learning.
A teaching approach where students work collaboratively on cases that embed science in a real-world context. Can encourage students to use higher-order thinking skills.
A project from Harvard University designed to help instructors improve their teaching practices through community building, interactive lectures, and discussion facilitation.
A teaching approach where students learn material through a structured questioning approach developed by Eric Mazur’s group in physics.
Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL)
Resource site for a type of guided inquiry learning that engages students in the process of learning.
A wealth of resources on a form of active learning that involves collaborative work in teams.
An interactive resource from Carnegie Mellon University that allows instructors to select teaching challenges and immediately be directed to solutions grounded in educational literature.
Useful list of verbs divided by Bloom taxonomy to define learning goals and objectives
Faculty Development Programs
Programs for Faculty Interested in Professional Growth around Teaching and Learning
American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Biology Scholars Program
Program aimed at empowering biology educators to become leaders and work in communities of practice
Helmsley Postdoctoral Teaching Scholars at Yale University
Program designed for postdoctoral fellows to implement innovative teaching methods in the classroom using instructional technology and evidence-based teaching methods. Scholars also plan and facilitate Summer Institutes to train faculty in evidence-based teaching.
Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA)
Offer fellowships that integrate research and teaching experiences for postdocs
Summer Institutes on Scientific Teaching (Regional and Mobile)
Multi-day workshops designed to empower university faculty, staff, and future faculty to transform STEM teaching and learning through evidence-based practices
Curricular Resources
Lessons, Lectures, Videos and Other Materials devoted to STEM Teaching and Learning
American Association of Physics Teachers - Resources for College and University Physics Faculty
Variety of links to resources for college and university physics faculty
Association of American Colleges and Universities Value Rubrics
Freely downloadable rubrics that can be used/adapted to evaluate student learning outcomes such as inquiry and analysis, critical thinking, written communication, oral communication, quantitative literacy, teamwork and problem-solving
Open-access site with evidence-based biology education resources
Garage Demos: Physical Models of Biological Processes-UCI Biology Education Research Program
Variety of YouTube videos with introductory biology demonstrations along with instructions for faculty
Variety of science education films, lectures, and lessons that can be incorporated into courses
A Harvard-led collection of online labs, instructional units, and simulators. Content crosses all STEM disciplines.
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
Database containing peer-reviewed, published case studies from a variety of disciplines (mostly STEM
National Science Digital Library
Extensive library of resources for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education
Variety of curricular resources for physics classrooms
PhET Interactive Simulations project from University of Colorado Boulder PER group
Free interactive science simulations to engage students in an intuitive, game-like environment
Physics Education Research Central
Centralized resource for evidence-based physics education research containing curricular materials (course packages) in physics
Communities of Practice
STEM Teaching and Learning Communities
Promoting Active Learning and Mentoring (PALM) Network
A network designed to increase evidence-based active learning in the classroom through sustained mentorship, professional development, and shared resources.
Partnership for Undergraduate Life Science Education (PULSE)
Non-profit organization with a major aim of fostering department-level reform in biology education.
Network to connect individuals working on course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) in biology.
Center for Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL)
Network that provides resources for preparing future STEM faculty including online courses and more.
Learning community for those interested in flipping the classroom. Faculty can join the College-level Flipper community.
Network with a major goal of expanding awareness and usage of case studies and problem-based learning.
Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research (SABER)
Community working to use hypothesis driven research to change undergraduate biology education.
Consortium for the Advancement of Undergraduate Statistics Education (CAUSE)
Organization designed to advance undergraduate statistics education through a variety of resources, professional development programs, outreach opportunities, and research activities.
Professional development program that supports geoscience faculty with collected resources.
Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL)
A project that supports the POGIL teaching method, which is designed to improve education using a student-centered approach in an inquiry-based, group environment.
Quantitative Undergraduate Biology Education and Synthesis (QUBES)
Website of resources for educators in quantitative biology.
Science Eduction for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities (SENCER)
Project designed to improve science education through real world problems and by extending its impact from the classroom to community and society.
Online resources for physics and astronomy students, researchers and educators.
Community of practice in Inorganic Chemical education.
Scientist Spotlight
Podcast that follows biology-oriented career paths of science professionals.
Science Education and Society (SEAS) “Confluence”
Video Series aimed at STEM majors featuring the stories of scientists’ journeys.
Provides interviews with scientists to aid with career exploration and development.
PBS NOVA “The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers”
Brief features on the work of scientists and their interests in and outside of the lab.
Scientists, mathematicians, and other professionals share their life stories through interviews.
Esther Lederberg, “Pioneer of Bacterial Genetics”
Biography of the woman who discovered fertility plasmids and bacterial conjugation.
Behind the Scenes at MIT: Stories of Chemists
A library of videos from undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral researchers, and PIs where each scientist talks about their current research and shares a personal story.
The White House Archives: Untold Story of Women in Science and Technology
Women in the administration share the stories of their personal female heroes in STEM.
Excerpts and quotes from 12 women leading in various STEM fields.
Charlie Rose Interview with Paul Nurse
Nobel Prize winner Paul Nurse discusses advancements in medicine and cancer treatment.
Videos with advice and stories from scientists focused on medicine and patient care.
90 second videos of scientists about their research designed to be understood at a K-12 level.