Since 2014, the Discipline-Based Science Education Research Center (dB-SERC) has supported natural sciences faculty members in developing projects that intend to bring innovation to teaching and learning in the natural sciences. These projects seek to transform the way classes are taught by adopting evidence-based teaching practices to improve student learning outcomes in these departments.
This year, dB-SERC has awarded seven Course Transformation Awards to faculty in natural sciences. Recipients receive funds for equipment, student support or summer salary for faculty. Four mentor-mentee awards also were presented to support classroom innovation projects conducted by students and faculty working together.
Course Transformation Awards
Improving Instructional Effectiveness Across Undergraduate Teaching Assistants to Enhance Academic Performance in Introductory Biology: Young Ahn and David Outomuro Priede, Department of Biological Sciences
Transformation of Introductory Macroeconomics: Improving Students Learning Outcomes with AI-powered Homework Assignments: Margarita Zabelina, Department of Economics
Thinking Quadrants: A Visual Framework for Working with Scientific Publications in Undergraduate Classrooms: Kirill Kiselyov, Department of Biological Sciences
Structured Integration of AI Tools in Introduction to Physics II: Melanie L. Good, Department of Physics and Astronomy
C3: Cultivating Communication in Chemistry: Michelle Ward, Department of Chemistry
Transforming BIOSC 1205 Vertebrate Morphology Lab with Authentic Research to Support Student Science Identity: Abagael West and Nathan Clark, Department of Biological Sciences
Encouraging Engagement in Chem 0110: General Chemistry 1: Sean Garrett-Roe, Department of Chemistry
Mentor-Mentee Awards
Question Ladders as an Approach to Increase Higher-Order Thinking in Undergraduate Classrooms: Kirill Kiselyov and Nikolai Makhov, Department of Biological Sciences
A Scaffolded Outlining Intervention to Improve Scientific Writing: Jennifer Ganger and Diya Goyal, Department of Psychology
Designing a Rube Goldberg Machine as a Capstone Project in Honor Physics 1: David Nero and Marcell Howard, Department of Physics & Astronomy
Using Comic-Based Study Guides to Support Engagement and Learning in an Undergraduate Animal Communication Course: David Outomuro Priede and Rose Dipaolo, Department of Biological Sciences