BETTER in STEM (NSF #2111613)

Building Educational Theory Through Enacting Reforms in STEM

For more information about the project, please visit the website: BETTER in STEM

BETTER in STEM is a 5-year, $3 million National Science Foundation collaborative research project across three institutions to embed the use of equitable, student-centered teaching and learning strategies within undergraduate STEM courses and departments.

A blue world Globe with "NSF" over the globe in white and yellow figures circling the globe

Participant Timeline

2021 - 2022

Developed Framework

2022 - 2023

3-day Summer Workshop, Aug 8-10
ICT meeting, bi-weekly for 60 min. or monthly for 120 min.
1 Saturday workshop, January
1 Saturday workshop, April

2023-2024

2 day Summer Workshop, week of Aug 7
ICT Meetings
1 Saturday workshop, early Winter
1 Saturday workshop, early Spring

BETTER in STEM Theory of Change

Improved teaching and learning in undergraduate STEM departments can occur through the implementation of a coordinated set of concurrent top-down and bottom-up strategies that work to:

Develop a shared framework for effective instruction that operationalizes research-based instructional strategies in clear, concise, and concrete terms, and defines equity and inclusion as a key component of effective instruction.
Develop the knowledge and skills of STEM faculty about the equitable, student-centered strategies that comprise the shared framework for effective instruction.
Support STEM faculty within instructional change teams to practice implementing equitable, student-centered teaching in their courses and receive feedback on their enactment through peer observations followed by learning-focused conversations.
Help faculty leaders and administrators facilitate conversations within their departments/divisions about how to support faculty members’ use of equitable, student-centered instruction in their courses.