Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Scientific Uncertainty As Political Aggression: A Manifesto For Those Who Value Science And Want To Save It From State And Corporate Control, Stephen Demeo

Publications and Research

A manifesto is an opportunity to publicly express strongly held beliefs about a topic that is personally important to an author. It is analytical as it is creative. “Scientific Uncertainty as Political Aggression” is a manifesto that intersects science and politics. It urges those interested in science to examine two different but related topics: scientific uncertainty in measurement—what it is, how it is determined, why it’s important— and the magnification of uncertainty through legal and linguistic tactics used by right-wing politicians and politically supported corporations.

For some time now, the Republican Establishment has cast excessive doubt on scientific findings through …

Highly Confident But Slightly Uncertain: A Long Overdue Reinvention Of The School Scientific Method, Teaching - Volume 4, Stephen Demeo

Publications and Research

In Volume 4, the last book of the series, I continue the argument for greater parity between conceptual knowledge—the "what" of science—and methodological knowledge—the "how" of science—but in the context of teacher instruction. To this end, two literature reviews are presented: One on how students build confidence, specifically regarding the reliability or consistency of measurement or results, and the other on scientific uncertainty. Research studies focusing on student misconceptions are summarized and organized from the elementary to the college level. These literature reviews describe invaluable ways for teachers to improve their instruction, while providing examples of experiments that can be …

Highly Confident But Slightly Uncertain: A Long Overdue Reinvention Of The School Scientific Method, Uncertainty And Error - Volume 3, Stephen Demeo

Publications and Research

Volume 3 explores the essential roles of uncertainty and error in scientific experimentation. It distinguishes between scientific error and scientific uncertainty: Scientific error refers to the difference between an experimental value and an accepted literature value, as well as the difference between data points in an x-y scatter plot and a predicted trendline. Scientific uncertainty, on the other hand, is associated with doubt arising from instrument limitations, variability within a data set, and psychological factors. Human error is set apart as mistakes or blunders, not to be conflated with scientific error.

Of utmost importance to the scientific investigator is the …

Highly Confident But Slightly Uncertain: A Long Overdue Reinvention Of The School Scientific Method, The X - Volume 1, Stephen Demeo

Publications and Research

In Volume 1, I critique the traditional School Scientific Method—an oversimplified, underdeveloped, and short, stepwise process—and argue for a more authentic, detailed, and rigorous approach to experiment-based scientific inquiry in education. I briefly explain the historical roots of the School Scientific Method, its benefits in increasing the exposure of experimental science to the masses, and its limitations in fostering more authentic scientific thinking and experimental practice.

In place of this traditional and problematic method, I introduce a graphic organizer called sciXpsy to foster both big-picture and detailed scientific thinking. The heuristic combines scientific concepts and methodology with the psychology of …

Highly Confident But Slightly Uncertain: A Long Overdue Reinvention Of The School Scientific Method, Confidence - Volume 2, Stephen Demeo

Publications and Research

Focusing on the psychology of empirical science, Volume 2 is an in-depth exploration of how students can build confidence in scientific data. Central to the text are twelve Confidence Indicators, a comprehensive set of approachable strategies and methodologies that help investigators produce, evaluate, and argue for reliable and valid empirical data. They include:

Good (and Ethical) Laboratory Practices

Repetition

Peer Replication/Review

Secondary Tests

Comparisons with Standards

Plots and Patterns

Conceptual Support

External Data Sources

Precision

Accuracy

Checking Calculations

Redesign/What-If Ideas

This volume includes numerous school science experiments that demonstrate how these indicators are applied across a wide range of educational …

Pathways To Green Economy Occupations In Engineering And Construction, Melanie Ekka Villatoro, Ivan L. Guzman, Marzi Azarderakhsh

Publications and Research

The Department of Construction Management and Civil Engineering technology (CMCE) at New York City College of Technology is incorporating curricular modifications to prepare our students to enter “focus occupations,” identified by New York City as critical to the sustainable growth of the Green economy. We offer three degrees in construction management, civil engineering technology and construction engineering technology. The Department was recently selected as part of the 2025 ASEE Engineering for One Planet (EOP) mini grant cohort. The EOP grant provided support for curriculum development to incorporate sustainability focused learning outcomes. The project team used the EOP framework to modify …

Developing An Ecosystem Of Stem Success For Built Environment Scholars, Melanie Villatoro, Hamid Norouzi

Publications and Research

The National Science Foundation S-STEM program at NYC College of Technology (City Tech), Developing an Ecosystem of STEM success for Built Environment Scholars (Award Number 2150432), focuses on supporting and developing scholars in the majors relating to the Built Environment which include Civil Engineering Technology, Construction Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Environmental Control Technology. The S-STEM program aims to reduce financial barriers for low-income students by providing scholarships. SSTEM scholars are provided with faculty mentors and opportunities to engage in cohort building activities that include field trips, research, workforce internships, and networking sessions. The project began …

Making A Makerspace: The Innervate Lab As A Reimagined Technology Education Space, Raaghav Pandya, Euisuk Sung, Caroline Darin

Publications and Research

With the growing emphasis on creativity, collaboration, and reflective thinking in technology and design education, technology labs are expected to shift from technical priorities to open, collaborative spaces. Designed within an existing technology education facility, the paper explored what it means to “technology lab” that merges the technical with the reflective, the cultural with the material, and the innovative with the contemplative. This paper presents the intellectual and aesthetic journey of creating an innovative makerspace within a technology education context and explains how this work embodies a sustainable model for training future technology educators. Our approach was informed by the …

Exploring Engineering Technology: A Multi-Year, Multidisciplinary Project-Based Engineering Technology Workshop, Benito Mendoza, Angran Xiao, Muhammad Ummy

Publications and Research

Many students enter engineering technology programs with a limited understanding of disciplinary differences, curricular expectations, and career pathways, contributing to early dissatisfaction and attrition. To address this challenge, we developed Exploring Engineering Technology, a multidisciplinary, project-based workshop that introduces students to Mechanical, Electrical, and Computer Engineering Technology through a shared robotic systems project. This paper presents a multi-year design-based educational research (DBER) study documenting the iterative refinement and sustained implementation of the workshop across three consecutive summers (2023–2025) at a large urban public college. Using a consistent post-workshop survey administered across cohorts and aggregate student progression indicators, we examine …

Evaluation Of 5g-Enabled Resource Allocation For Smart Led Streetlight Infrastructure, Ahmed Hassebo, Yasser Hassebo

Publications and Research

The proliferation of 5G networks facilitates high-speed, low-latency communication essential for the advancement of smart city infrastructure. This research investigates the performance of 5G enabled connectivity for smart LED streetlight systems, focusing on resource allocation strategies between mission-critical and latency-tolerant services. Utilizing MATLAB simulations, the study evaluates network slicing and scheduling algorithms through key performance indicators (KPIs) including throughput, end-to-end delay, and Packet Error Rate (PER). The proposed framework integrates dynamic scheduling mechanisms—analogous to LTE uplink protocols—to optimize energy efficiency and data responsiveness across large-scale urban lighting deployments. Empirical results indicate that 5G Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) effectively supports real-time …

Challenging Stem Learning Spaces: The Paradigm Of Contemplative Traditions As The Bedrock Of Creativity And Healing, Raaghav Pandya, Christopher Emdin

Publications and Research

As the post-pandemic classroom and pedagogy evolve to remedy oppressive norms, young people’s mental health and alienation has taken front stage (Rahmani & Zitouni, 2022). Traditional STEM learning spaces often teach inquiry as a linear, non-deviated approach to problems about self and nature (Hrisa & Psillos, 2022). Furthermore, because our classrooms often strip students and educators of their inherent creative abilities through constant assessments, improvement scales, and market-driven expectations, classrooms cease to become places of healing (Pandya, 2021). Eastern wisdom traditions and their associated philosophies provide a unique pedagogical lens that emphasizes a deep inquiry into self, empathy, and creativity …

Ancient Wisdom & Its Cultural Relevance: Reimagining Deeper Learning In Science Classrooms Through The Lens Of Yoga And Vedānta, Raaghav Pandya

Publications and Research

Contemporary calls to reconceptualize how science is taught and understood have brought deeper learning to the forefront of education at-large for its emphasis on critical perspectives, creativity, and student-centered inquiry. Yet this paper argues that its prevailing framework remains constrained by Cartesian dualism, a materialist foundation that disassociates the individual from self, other, and nature, and falls short of addressing the mental health, environmental, and cultural challenges facing youth today. To address this limitation, this paper proposes a complementary convergence between deeper learning and the contemplative traditions of Yoga and Vedānta, whose ancient paradigms of self-inquiry, interconnectedness, and well-being offer …

Ctrl + Alt + Inner Speech: A Verbal–Cognitive Scaffold (Vcs) Model Of Pathways To Computational Thinking, Daisuke Akiba

Publications and Research

This theoretical paper introduces the Verbal–Cognitive Scaffold (VCS) Model, a cognitively inclusive framework which proposes the cognitive architectures underlying computational thinking (CT). Moving beyond monolithic theories of cognition (e.g., executive-function and metacognitive control models), the VCS Model posits inner speech (InSp) as the predominant cognitive pathway supporting CT operations in neurotypical populations. Synthesizing interdisciplinary scholarship across cognitive science, computational theory, neurodiversity research, and others, this framework articulates distinct mechanisms through which InSp supports CT. The model specifies four primary pathways linking InSp to CT components: verbal working memory supporting decomposition, symbolic representation facilitating pattern recognition and abstraction, sequential processing enabling …

From Summer Institute To Action: Advancing Equity And Inclusion In Stem Classrooms, Sandie Han, Nadia Kennedy, Malgorzata Marciniak, Diana Samaroo

Publications and Research

This Editor’s Note provides background on the CUNY Innovative Teaching Academy Summer Institute for Equitable and Inclusive STEM Teaching and Learning and introduces the articles featured in this special issue.

Professional Development Workshops For Faculty On Addressing Implicit Bias In Computer Science Education, Sandie Han, Diana Samaroo, Janet Liou-Mark, Boyan Kostadinov, Johann Thiel, Suhua Zeng

Publications and Research

The "Understanding Implicit Bias" workshops were offered to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) faculty at an urban minority-serving undergraduate institution with a focus on addressing the gender gap in computer science. The workshops aimed to raise awareness of implicit (unconscious) biases and provide practical strategies for addressing them, fostering a more inclusive classroom environment. Analysis of pre- and post-survey responses indicated an increase in participants' awareness of implicit biases in their discipline and a greater openness to taking steps to address them, suggesting the workshops' potential impact on promoting inclusive teaching practices.

Designing Equity-Focused Pedagogy In Mathematics Teacher Preparation With Digital Data Tools, Nadia Stoyanova Kennedy, Boyan Kostadinov, Sandie Han

Publications and Research

This study examines the implementation of a course module that integrated computing and data analysis. The module aimed to engage prospective mathematics teachers in the practice of working with datasets and analyzing data to investigate questions related to local Brooklyn schools, as well as to gain deeper insight into the students and communities where they conduct their field experiences. Throughout the module, teacher candidates explored issues such as student learning opportunities, achievement gaps, school segregation, educational (in)equity, and other social justice concerns through readings, data analysis, and direct engagement. They shared and reflected on their findings with peers, deepening their …

Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning For Composite Materials Design, Kazi Imran, Akm Rahman, Jiayue Shen, Md Zahidul Haque

Publications and Research

Artificial intelligence is becoming a powerful tool to design and develop new materials, especially in composite materials design. Fiber-reinforced polymer composites have an exceptional advantage over traditional materials for their superior or specific stiffness and strength, and resistance to corrosion and fatigue, which results in low total lifetime cost. One of the primary limitations of these composite materials is predicting mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties due to the anisotropy of the materials. Predicting mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties is important in utilizing these composite materials for multiple engineering applications. To address this issue requires a machine learning model trained from …

Board # 186: The Impact Of Virtual Reality On Learning In Engineering Materials Courses, Ozlem Yasar, Angran Xiao

Publications and Research

Virtual reality (VR), one of the leading technologies in immersive learning, has the potential to transform the teaching of mechanical engineering by providing interactive, 3D learning environments. Traditional teaching methods in mechanical engineering often rely heavily on theoretical concepts and offer limited practical demonstrations. However, giving students hands-on experience with advanced machinery, such as scanning probe microscopes (SPM) and transmission electron microscopes (TEM), poses significant challenges. These challenges arise from factors like cost constraints, limited availability, and safety concerns. These machines are prohibitively expensive to acquire and maintain, making it impractical for many educational institutions to provide widespread access. Even …

Board # 363: Effective Strategies To Support Student Success In An Nsf S-Stem Program, Diana Samaroo, Urmi Duttagupta, Nadia E. Stoyanova Kennedy, Armando R. Solis, Viviana Acquaviva

Publications and Research

This paper reports on the success of an NSF S-STEM grant, which builds on two successful previous programs at “our institution”. The initiative aims to improve retention and graduation rates, increasing the participation of minority and female students in STEM fields and the NYC workforce, thereby reducing socio-economic disparities.

From Spring 2020 to Spring 2024, the project awarded an average of 40 scholarships annually to academically strong and financially disadvantaged students in various STEM programs, benefiting 93 unique students. It also enhanced early research experiences, internships, and provided robust academic advisement and mentoring. Seminars and meetings with STEM professionals expanded …

Board # 414: Nsf S-Stem: Developing An Ecosystem Of Stem Success For Built Environment Scholars, Melanie Villatoro, Muhammad Ummy, Hamidreza E. Norouzi, Masato R. Nakamura, Daeho Kang

Publications and Research

The National Science Foundation S-STEM program, Developing an Ecosystem of STEM success for Built Environment Scholars (Award Number 2150432), focuses on supporting and developing scholars in the majors relating to the Built-Environment which include Civil Engineering Technology, Construction Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Environmental Control Technology. The intent of the project is to implement evidence-based effective practices and assess the impact of these practices, degree attainment, and entry into the U.S. workforce or graduate programs in STEM. Students are provided faculty mentors and opportunities to engage in cohort building activities that include field trips, research, workforce …

Shaping Future Innovators: A Curriculum Comparison Of Data Science Programs In Leading U.S. And Chinese Institutions, Elizabeth Milonas, Qiping Zhang, Duo Li

Publications and Research

Background: In recent years, the data revolution has sparked widespread interest in Data Science (DS) across numerous fields and disciplines [1]. As society becomes more reliant on data-driven decisions, the demand for professionals equipped to handle data challenges is rising. The need for skilled workers in diverse roles and capacities continues to grow as these demands evolve [2,3]. To meet the demand for skilled workers, training in the latest data science technologies has become a priority in colleges across the US and China. These colleges have established comprehensive data science programs to ensure students graduate with the expertise required in …

Integrating Universal Generative Ai Platforms In Educational Labs To Foster Critical Thinking And Digital Literacy, Vasiliy S. Znamenskiy, Joel Hernandez, Rafael Niyazov

Publications and Research

This study investigates the educational potential of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) platforms based on large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, as tools for studentcentred learning. Recognizing the current limitations of GenAI, particularly its propensity for generating inaccurate or misleading information—the paper proposes a novel instructional strategy: an interdisciplinary laboratory designed to foster critical evaluation of GenAI-generated outputs. In this pedagogical model, students engage with GenAI systems by posing questions or solving problems drawn from topics they have already studied and understand. Equipped with correct answers, students are positioned to assess the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated …

Preservice Teachers As Learners, Designers And Implementers Of Computational Thinking (Ldi-Ct), Line Saint-Hilaire, Daisuke Akiba

Publications and Research

Computational thinking (CT) has gained significant recognition in education in recent years. When considering young children learning CT concepts, it's essential to also assess teachers’ understanding of computational thinking. Therefore, educators in teacher preparation programs must equip candidates with these skills to meet the growing demand for developing students’ digital literacy. This project aimed to understand how to strategically incorporate CT instruction into a teacher education program in the Elementary and Early Childhood Education Department. It focuses on assessing preservice teachers' (PSTs) understanding of computational thinking and their ability to design CT-integrated science lesson plans based on their experiences with …

Pltl Develops Scholars For Majors In The Built-Environment​, Shpat Halili, Calvin O. Walters Jr.

Publications and Research

The National Science Foundation S-STEM program at NYC College of Technology (City Tech), Developing an Ecosystem of STEM success for Built Environment Scholars (Award Number 2150432), focuses on supporting and developing scholars in the majors relating to the Built Environment. The proposed project includes the expansion of Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) at City Tech. The PLTL model creates a supportive learning environment and supplements the faculty-centered classroom with student-led and student-oriented workshops. At City Tech, existing workshops provide curricular support in statics and mathematics. The PLTL program benefits promising first-year STEM students, and the S-STEM program utilizes the PLTL model …

Performance Outcomes In Introductory Statistics: R Vs. Spss Usage At A Community College, Venessa Singhroy Ph.D., Bianca Sosnovski

Publications and Research

This dataset corresponds to a study investigating the performance outcomes of students enrolled in two sections of an introductory statistics course at a community college in New York. The study, titled "Examining Differences in Performance Outcomes between Statistics Classes using High-coding vs. Low-coding Statistical Software Packages," explores the impact of utilizing different statistical software packages (R and SPSS) on student performance and motivation. The dataset comprises assessments administered to participants, including the Mathematics Motivation Questionnaire, Reading Comprehension Assessment, Algebra Assessment, Statistics Assessment, and Coding Assessment. Participants were divided into two sections: one utilizing R and the other utilizing SPSS for …

Using Smartphones To Innovate Laboratories In Introductory Physics Courses, E. Bernardini, M. Carli, M.Y. Elkhashab, Andrea Ferroglia, Miguel C. N. Fiolhais, L. Gabelli, H. Jessen Munch, Darya Krym, P. Mastrolia, Giovanni Ossola, O. Pantano, J. Postiglione, J.S. Poveda Correa, C. Sirignano, F. Soramel

Publications and Research

The SmartPhysics project involved two higher education institutions, one in Italy and one in the US, with the aim of exploring the use of smartphones for laboratory experiments in introductory Physics courses. Here we present and discuss two experiments that were developed in the project: the pendulum experiment, consisting in the measurement of the gravitational constant using a proximity stopwatch, and the ‘bouncing ball’ experiment, aimed at measuring the energy lost in inelastic collisions with a hard surface. Both experiments were tested with the students in the academic year 2021-22. Our results and didactical reflections contain suggestions for the use …

Teaching Engineering Design-Based Integrated Stem In Rural Contexts: Nurturing Future Designers, Jung Han, Euisuk Sung, Todd Kelley, John Geoffrey Knowles

Publications and Research

There is a notable shift towards prioritizing the teaching of engineering design within K-12 education, coupled with a strong recommendation for engineering design-based integrated STEM education. This approach underscores the sharing of science and engineering practices as a means to facilitate the learning of various STEM disciplines. Nonetheless, the implementation of integrated STEM education in rural schools poses challenges due to constrained resources and a shortage of high-quality programs. To present a tangible instance of design-based integrated STEM education within a rural setting, this study presents a model lesson that showcases the integration of interdisciplinary problem-solving skills within a genuine …

The Impact Of International Technology Education Standards On The Development Of A National Curriculum: A Case Study In Korea, Euisuk Sung, Yuhuyn Choi, Ji Suk Kim, Eunsang Lee, Yunjin Lim

Publications and Research

South Korea has mandated technology education as a general education subject since 1954. However, recent educational trends, such as the emergence of computer education; artificial intelligence; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); and K-12 engineering education call for considerable change in Korean technology education. The authors translated and published Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy (STEL) in Korean to introduce the new standards to Korean educators in response to these challenges. This case study will review the history of Korean technology education from its inception in the 1960s and discuss the potential impacts of STEL on the Korean technology education …

Retention Of Female Minority Students In Bachelor Stem Degree Programs: An Exploratory Study Of Five Cohorts, Elizabeth Milonas

Publications and Research

Minority female students are under-represented in computer-related fields such as computer science, information systems, and computer engineering. Yet, minority female students are also under-represented in computer-related degree programs (Botella et al. 2019). This group of students faces unique challenges that can discourage them from continuing with a computer-related degree (Varma 2003). These challenges include a lack of writing and degree readiness skills such as mathematical and computational thinking skills (Varma 2003). Minority female students are also faced with economic challenges and family commitments which can hinder or discourage them from continuing in a degree program (Varma 2003). In addition, minority …

Online Technological Stem Education Project Management, Fangyang Shen, Janine Roccosalvo, Jun Zhang, Yun Tian, Yang Yi

Publications and Research

With a strong demand for online education and project management in deeper scope and larger scale to better fit COVID-19 pandemic situation, exploring new knowledge of online education to make it more effective became vital with the new challenges of STEM education. To resolve the above problem, this paper focuses on various aspects of online STEM education project management where the Enhanced Noyce Explorers, Scholars, Teachers (E-NEST) three-tiered structure was implemented during the COVID-19 period. Two City University of New York (CUNY) institutions, New York City College of Technology (City Tech) and Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) used the …