Initiatives

Dr. Melanie Cooper

STEM Speaker, April 18, 2014: Evidence-Based Approaches to STEM Education

Lappan-Phillips Professor of Science Education, Michigan State University

Take-Home Lessons
• Buy-in from faculty is achieved best by discussing the content (science) first, rather than the surface-level interventions in teaching.
• It is especially helpful to create an ARTICULATED curriculum, where specific blocks of content are introduced and reinforced with intentionality even across departments and programs. Course content should be willing to "do less" and keep backward design foremost.
• Classroom delivery should focus on the WHY rather than the WHAT; it should develop deep explanations and understanding of fewer topics than what is now traditional.