STEM Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder
Congressional Briefing, Otero and Finkelstein, 12 Aug 2010 1
Investing in the Futurefor Colorado and the Nation
Science, Technology, Engineering,Mathematics (STEM) at the
University of Colorado Boulder
Valerie Otero and Noah FinkelsteinUniversity of Colorado at Boulder
Grand Challenges in US Education
Better educationMore and better teachers
U.S. ranks:21 out of 30 in science25 out of 30 in math
- PISA 2006
International Rankings (science)
Higher education & research
STEM Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder
Congressional Briefing, Otero and Finkelstein, 12 Aug 2010 2
Rising Above Gathering StormCongressional charge (2005):
10 priority recommendations for Americancompetitiveness in the 21st century
4 Recommendations (2006):
#1: 10,000 TEACHERS, 10 MILLION MINDS,
#2: SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH
#3: BEST AND BRIGHTEST IN SCIENCE ANDENGINEERING HIGHER EDUCATION
#4: INCENTIVES FOR INNOVATION
America COMPETES Act, 2007and House Reauthorization, 2010
Florida International
Cal Poly,San Louis Obispo
Cornell
U. ofMinnesota
Towson
U. of Arizona
SeattlePacific
WesternWesternKentucky
U. of Arkansas U. of N.C. Chapel Hill
UT Austin
Utah State
N. DakotaState
Black HillsState
BostonUniversity
University of Colorado ProgramsEmulated Throughout the Nation
STEM Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder
Congressional Briefing, Otero and Finkelstein, 12 Aug 2010 3
Experiential Learning Model for STEM Education,Faculty Development, and Teacher Preparation
Teacher RecruitmentTeacher Recruitment& Preparation& Preparation
Curriculum andCurriculum andcoursecourse
transformationtransformation
InstitutionalInstitutionalchangechange
Discipline-BasedDiscipline-BasedEducation ResearchEducation Research
Otero et al. Science (2006)
STEM Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder
Congressional Briefing, Otero and Finkelstein, 12 Aug 2010 4
Courses Transformed usingLearning Assistants (LAs)
These LAs make up the pool from which we recruit
(and prepare) new K-12 teachers
LA Program Impact on Teacher Recruitment
STEM Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder
Congressional Briefing, Otero and Finkelstein, 12 Aug 2010 5
Specifically in Areas of Need
Students Learn More in Transformed Courses
enrolled in traditionalintro course
(no LAs)
enrolled incourse
transformedwith LAs
Students whoserved as LAs
Sco
re o
n Te
st
STEM Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder
Congressional Briefing, Otero and Finkelstein, 12 Aug 2010 6
Needed to Transform ourTeacher Certification Program
CU TeachUniversity of Colorado at Boulder
LA is part of a broad network on campus
STEM Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder
Congressional Briefing, Otero and Finkelstein, 12 Aug 2010 7
The University of Colorado as a national hub of STEMeducation research and reform
University of Colorado is a national center for:• Education in STEM disciplines• Research on STEM education• STEM teacher preparation
PI: Chancellor DiStefanoCo-Pis include: Deans Argrow, Gleeson, & Shepard
Transforming Undergraduate STEM Education
Science Education Initiative
Integrated Teaching & Learning Program
Discipline-based Education ResearchPhysics Education Research
Colorado Learning Assistant Model
STEM Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder
Congressional Briefing, Otero and Finkelstein, 12 Aug 2010 8
Broad Faculty ParticipationAstronomy
Dick McCrayDoug DuncanNick SchneiderJohn StockeFran BagenalSeth Hornstein
Physics
Steve Pollock Noah FinklesteinKathy Perkins Mike DubsonCarl Wieman Ed KinneyCarl Rogers Jim ShepardMurray Holland James Nagle
Valerie OteroDavid WebbDerek Briggs
MCD BiologyMike Klymkowsky Bill WoodJennifer Knight Sylvia FromherzJia Shi Michelle SmithTom Blumenthal (chair)Nancy Guild
Applied Math
Jim Curry (Chair)Mary NelsonAnne DoughertyHarvey Segur,Tiejun TongAdam Norris
ChemistryTom CechRobert ParsonVeronica BierbaumMargaret AsirvathamLaurie LangdonSusan Hendricks
Graduate StudentsKim Geil Bud Talbot Kara Gray Stephanie BarrHeidi Iverson Deb MorrisonChandra Turpen Ben SpikeMay Lee Danielle Harlow
K-12 TeachersSteve IonaMike FuchsRoberta TannerCraig Schneider
MathematicsEric Stade (Chair)Rob TubbsEvelyn Puaa
Laura MoinVicky HandErin FurtakJeff Frykholm
Education
John Cumulat (Chair)Paul Beale (Chair)Steve WagnerShijie ZhongStephanie Chastine
EngineeringBrian ArgrowDerek ReamonDaria Kotes-Schwartz
Community Partnerships, Outreach & Service
Science Discovery
Biological Sciences Initiative
CIRES Outreach JILA PISEC
LASP PhET SimulationsITLL
GK12s Engineering for Develop Communities
NCWIT
Fiske
Office for University Outreach
STEM Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder
Congressional Briefing, Otero and Finkelstein, 12 Aug 2010 9
CU as a National Leader / National ReputationNational Organizations Promoting CU Models:
Serving the Nation:
Chancellors DiStefano &Shockley-Zalabak at theWhite HouseEducate to Innovate
Finkelstein congressionaltestimony for AmericaCOMPETES Act
Otero advises NationalGovernor’s AssociationRace to the Top
Natural Synergiesinvesting in the future
STEM Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder
Congressional Briefing, Otero and Finkelstein, 12 Aug 2010 10
Serving Colorado, Engaged in the World
Investing in the Futurefor Colorado and the Nation
Science, Technology, Engineering,Mathematics (STEM) at the
University of Colorado Boulder
More Information at:http://www.colorado.edu/istem