Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Evaluating A Research Experience For Teachers: Benefits And Challenges For Summer Stem Professional Development, Mark T. Felts, Darcy Tessman, Emily Simpson, Mark Nanny

The Rural Educator

This focus group study examined the participant motivation for and potential impact of the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program on rural STEM educators. Due to geographic isolation and low wages in rural areas, STEM teachers often engage in summer work, which provides practical, real-world applications of STEM principles and enhances instructional methods during the school year. By fostering university partnerships and providing summer research opportunities, RET aligns with the National Rural Research Agenda’s (NREA) priorities of enhancing community relationships and bolstering teacher preparation, recruitment, and retention. Findings indicate that participation in RET boosts teachers’ curricular skills, professional networks, and …

Modeling Of Aggregate Losses Of Metastatic Cancer Using Katz Family (A, B, 0) Distributions, Cynthia M. Mwau, Howard Omukami

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

The incidence of metastatic cancer over the years has gradually increased. This can be due to delayed quality treatment, attributed to insufficient funds. Models that can more accurately price cancer insurance policies incorporating its metastatic nature would enable insurance firms to develop affordable and profitable cancer insurance policies. Effectively marketed and reasonably priced insurance policies can enhance the uptake of cancer specific insurance, thereby alleviating the financial strain linked to cancer treatment. To capture the impact of metastatic cancer on overall cancerrelated losses, we construct Katz recursive models grounded in the Katz family of distributions, specifically the (a, b, 0) …

Deferred Action Theory As A Framework For Adaptive Educational Procurement: Navigating Uncertainty And Digital Transformation In Education Systems, Herdiana Herdiana, B. Yuliarto Nugroho, Andreo Wahyudi Atmoko

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Public procurement constitutes a significant portion of national expenditure and directly affects economic growth, service delivery, and governance quality. In Indonesia, education sector procurement absorbs more than half of the allocated budget but remains vulnerable to inefficiencies, rigid procedures, and corruption risks. This study aims to conceptualize an adaptive framework for Public Procurement Business Process Management (PP-BPM) that addresses environmental uncertainty, digital transformation, and governance challenges. This conceptual study integrates Deferred Action Theory (DAT), Emergent Business Processes (EBP), and Business Process Management (BPM) to develop a multi-level framework for procurement. The analysis covers strategic, managerial, and operational dimensions, emphasizing deferment …

Beyond The Pipeline: First-Generation College Students’ Community Cultural Wealth And Stem Degree Pathways, Douglas Havard, Zahra Gholami, Jue Wu, Danette Y. Martinez, A. J. Balatico, Lara Perez-Felkner

Education Faculty Articles and Research

This study examines how first-generation college students (FGCS) and continuing-generation college students navigate STEM pathways by modeling four sequential milestones in the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09): high school graduation, college enrollment, STEM major selection, and STEM degree completion. Guided by Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth framework, we use survey-weighted sequential logistic regression to estimate stage-specific associations between academic preparation, psychosocial resources, and institutional context, conditional on prior attainment. Results reveal distinct generational patterns of STEM progression. For FGCS, rigorous high school mathematics preparation exerts a powerful influence on high school completion, while later-developing math self-efficacy and science identity …

Nevada Science Olympiad, Christian Ison

Community Engagement Expo Research Posters

Since 2022, the UNLV School of Integrated Health Sciences has partnered with the Clark County School District to engage and inspire Nevada students through innovative STEM education initiatives. This ongoing collaboration supports the development and hosting of competitive STEM tournaments at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, providing students with opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while fostering critical thinking, academic achievement, and future workforce development.

Tech Trekker, Erika Marti, Yania Avila

Community Engagement Expo Research Posters

We are a team of faculty and students in STEM fields who are dedicated to providing cutting-edge technology to teachers and students in Las Vegas and nearby communities.

Our Mission: Our primary mission is to increase student exposure to and engagement in modern science and engineering tools in order to encourage students into high-demand STEM fields.

What Is Alive? Students’ Conceptions Of The Traits That Unite Living Organisms, Jeremy L. Hsu, Meredith A. Dorner, Kate Hill

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Biology is the study of life, but students often hold misconceptions about what it means to be alive, with children often associating life with movement. These misconceptions can lead to biases in what students think is alive, with younger children often not thinking of plants as living given their lack of discernable movement. Despite this past work, there have been no prior studies that we are aware of that have examined how students in introductory biology conceptualize what it means to be alive. Here, we draw upon a fortuitous dataset collected from an in-class activity done on the first day …

“Always Having To Dampen And Dilute My Essence In Order To Fit”: Intersectional Experiences Of Queer Scholars Of Color In Stem And Stem Education, Nuria Jaumot-Pascual, Lisette Torres-Gerald, Maria Ong

The Qualitative Report

This article examines the intersectional experiences of queer scholars of color in STEM and STEM education. Using arts-informed research methods, we conducted and analyzed five interviews and a focus group transcript that focused on the support and hurdles that five participants encountered and the strategies they utilized to navigate their work in STEM and STEM education. We identified that, against the backdrop of prevailing heteronormativity and normative whiteness in STEM, participants compartmentalized their STEM and social identities, felt compelled to negotiate the risks of coming out, and assumed the double burden and invisible work of students who were queer and/or …

Copyright Information

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Publication rights to works is granted to Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities, however, full copyright for works published in this journal is retained by the author(s). The author(s) may post their works online in an institutional repository, on their university departmental website, or on their own personal websites.

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 …

From The Editors..., Thomastine Sarchet-Maher

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

No abstract provided.

Call For Manuscripts, Thomastine Sarchet-Maher

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

The Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities is a peer-reviewed, open access, multi-disciplinary online journal with an international focus. We publish articles that reflect the best of research and practice related to inclusive science education, including works submitted by science and special education researchers, teacher educators, and teachers. Interesting topics have included innovative curricular ideas, instructional adaptations, research-based modifications, best practices, and management strategies in science education. JSESD adopts the philosophical perspective that all students can achieve in science, and that science benefits from the full participation of all students.

Curriculum For A Two Semester Calculus Course Specializing In Life Science And Data Science, Patrick Mcclain

LSU Master's Theses

Traditionally, introductory calculus has been designed for engineering and physics students, often leaving students majoring in data science or life sciences with a curriculum that lacks professional relevance and is overly reliant on problems that focus on computational fluency. This thesis proposes a two-semester sequence, called MATH 153X and MATH 154X, specifically tailored for the Louisiana State University (LSU) Dual Enrollment program and university-level data science and life sciences majors. By integrating modern computational tools—such as symbolic calculators and artificial intelligence (AI) tools—the proposed curriculum shifts the pedagogical focus from procedural symbolic manipulation toward conceptual literacy.

Through a series …

Exploring Geometry Teaching And Learning Through Self-Study, Linnea Kallebo Ms., Ayse Ozturk

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Self-study is a powerful tool for improving teacher effectiveness, particularly in mathematics instruction where misconceptions can significantly impact student learning. This self-study examines my evolving understanding of geometry concepts and common student misconceptions encountered during a teaching geometry course. Through reflection, peer discussion, and analysis of misconceptions, this study reveals how examining both my own learning and students’ thinking can inform self-adjustment of teaching strategies. Findings highlight the importance of building new geometry concepts on mastered ideas and pairing self-study with evaluation of student responses to improve instructional decision-making.

Self-Study In Learning And Teaching The Pythagorean Theorem, Julia Podolskiy, Ayse Ozturk

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Old Dominion University undergrad student Julia Podolskiy performed self-study research on learning and teaching the Pythagorean Theorem. The poster provides purpose, methods, results, and future directions on how Julia Podolskiy's knowledge on the Pythagorean Theorem has improved over the course of a semester and how she plans to implement the theorem to her teaching.

Mathematics Anxiety: Understanding Its Concept, Impact On Secondary Students’ Academic Performance And Career Prospects, And Effective Intervention Strategies, Sabiruddin Molla, Safwana Rashid, Saba Sultana

Numeracy

This study investigates the influence of mathematics anxiety on secondary school students’ academic performance and career pathway selection. Mathematics, often perceived as abstract and challenging, can evoke high levels of anxiety that affect both learning outcomes and career-related decisions. Data were collected from 106 students across two urban secondary schools in Kolkata. Findings revealed that students possessed a significant understanding of the concept of mathematics anxiety (t (105) = 8.48, p < .001, d = 0.82). A strong positive correlation was observed between mathematics anxiety and academic performance (r = .686, p < .001), indicating that elevated anxiety levels correspond with lower achievement. Additionally, a significant positive correlation (r = .475, p < .001) showed that mathematics anxiety influences students’ career pathway selection, with higher anxiety leading to avoidance of mathematics-related careers. The study highlights that negative attitudes toward mathematics often stem from perception rather than actual difficulty. Overall, the findings emphasize the need for innovative teaching strategies and targeted interventions to reduce mathematics anxiety and enhance students’ academic and career outcomes.

Advancing Environmental Justice Through Chemical Education: Perspective From New Orleans’ Water And Air Quality Challenges, Ja’Lynn Keller, Sita Aggarwal, Rami A. Al-Horani, Morewell Gasseller, Navneet Goyal

Faculty and Staff Publications

New Orleans, Louisiana, faces profound environmental vulnerabilities arising from the convergence of industrial pollution, urban runoff, and climate change–driven weather events. This paper examines systemic challenges affecting water and air quality in the region, with particular focus on low-income and marginalized communities disproportionately burdened by environmental degradation. Drawing on educational and community-based monitoring initiatives at Xavier University of Louisiana and Southeastern Louisiana University, we highlight the integration of student learning with real-time data collection of contaminants such as fecal coliforms, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina revealed significant fecal contamination in sediment layers, …

Culturally Responsive Stem Teaching With Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Eun Kyung Ko

Journal of STEM Teacher Education

This study examines how integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, specifically ChatGPT, into teacher education can enhance culturally responsive teaching (CRT) in STEM education. AI's potential to support lesson planning, streamline administrative tasks, and offer personalized learning paths is explored alongside its challenges, such as ethical concerns and contextual adaptation. The study involved pre-service elementary teachers who used AI modules to design CRT-aligned STEM lessons, reflecting on their experiences through surveys and journals. The findings reveal that AI enhances efficiency, generates creative ideas, and fosters inclusivity by providing culturally relevant materials. However, the study emphasizes that AI cannot replace human expertise …

“I’M So Hungry”: Assessing Stem Sensemaking Through Data-Informed Writing, Bailey Nafziger, Alesia Mickle Moldavan, Katie Brkich

Journal of STEM Teacher Education

To engage elementary learners in the complex task of STEM sensemaking, teachers must entice and inspire learners to ask questions, explore, and communicate their findings. This article shares a 5E/3D lesson designed and taught in our elementary science methods courses to model how preservice teachers can integrate literacy and mathematics into a science investigation for STEM sensemaking. We modified a traditional lesson on bird beak adaptations to have a differentiated, interdisciplinary writing component justified by data. We discuss why data-supported literacy is a non-negotiable in science education reforms and how teachers can differentiate tasks to make scientific writing more approachable …

A Review Of Oer Math Homework Systems, Rachel Bailey, Nathan Carter

Open Educational Resources Publications

This report evaluates four leading open educational resource (OER) math homework systems—MyOpenMath, WeBWorK, Ximera, and XYZ Homework—for their suitability in Bentley University’s first-year mathematics courses. The review compares cost, usability, LMS integration, available content, and alignment with Bentley curricula. MyOpenMath emerges as the strongest option due to its usability, robust problem libraries, and fully free access. XYZ Homework offers comparable features but includes student fees. Ximera and WeBWorK provide powerful capabilities but require greater technical expertise. The report concludes with recommendations for implementation and needed faculty support.

A Distributed Model For Undergraduate Education In Environmental Remote Sensing: Increased Student Interest In Science And Sense Of Science Identity And Belonging, Gregory R. Goldsmith, Monae Verbeke, Jeremy Forsythe, Joshua B. Fisher

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

"We present results from a new open-access course in satellite remote sensing of the environment that uses evidence-based, active learning pedagogy to train the next generation of interdisciplinary scientists The course, called Observing Earth from Above, teaches students how to access, visualize, and communicate satellite remote sensing data from NASA’s ECOSTRESS instrument to address a variety of environmental challenges. The resources focus on follow-along tutorials for students and also include recorded lectures and interviews with remote sensing scientists."

Development Of A Problem-Based Learning Model Assisted By The Interactive Canva Application To Improve Critical Thinking And Collaboration Skills Of Fourth Grade Elementary School Students, Fitri Dwi Utami, Heris Hendriana, Galih Dani Septyan Rahayu

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Penelitian ini dimotivasi oleh rendahnya kemampuan berpikir kritis dan kolaborasi siswa kelas empat sekolah dasar yang disebabkan oleh pembelajaran konvensional dan kurangnya penggunaan media pembelajaran interaktif. Studi ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan model Pembelajaran Berbasis Masalah (PBL) yang dibantu oleh aplikasi interaktif Canva yang layak dan efektif untuk meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kritis dan kolaborasi siswa. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah model Penelitian dan Pengembangan (R&D) Borg & Gall yang meliputi tahapan analisis kebutuhan, perencanaan, pengembangan produk, validasi ahli, revisi produk, dan uji lapangan. Subjek penelitian terdiri dari 21 siswa pada uji terbatas, 30 siswa pada uji luas, dan 60 siswa pada …

The Effectiveness Of Wordwall-Integrated Game-Based Learning On Elementary School Students' Science And Social Studies (Ipas) Learning Outcomes, Maryanah Maryanah, Aynin Mashfufah, Riska Pristiani

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The implementation of IPAS learning at the elementary school level is still dominated by one-way learning strategies with limited media support. This condition has an impact on the low level of student activity, resulting in suboptimal conceptual understanding, especially for abstract material such as food chains. This study aims to examine the effect of applying digital game-based learning integrated with Wordwall on the IPAS learning outcomes of fifth-grade elementary school students. The research used a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design, involving a treatment group and a comparison group with equivalent initial abilities. Data collection was carried out using a …

Analysing Numeracy Demands In Alberta Curriculum: A Focus On High School Mathematics, Asia Majeed, Kwesi Yaro

Numeracy

In recent years, numeracy has been recognized as a key educational priority across the curriculum in many international jurisdictions, including almost all Canadian provinces. In Alberta province, Canada, for example, the Teaching Quality Standard (TQS) #3 explicitly states that all teachers are responsible for fostering literacy and numeracy skills, regardless of the specific subject areas they teach. This expanded focus reflects a broader understanding of numeracy not merely as a subset of mathematical skills, but as a fundamental competency that supports informed participation in civic, economic, and personal life. This paper applies the 21st Century Numeracy Model (Goos et al., …

Measuring What Matters: Specifications Grading And Latin* Students’ Mathematics Identity, Luis Miguel Fernández, Mayra Ortiz Galarza, Cristina Villalobos, Martha Asare

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

This study examined Specifications Grading, an alternative grading system emphasizing clearly defined learning outcomes and revision, and mathematics identity among 846 Latin* Calculus I students at a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Mathematics identity, comprising competence/performance, recognition, and interest, was measured at the beginning and end of the semester. Repeated-measures analyses indicated stable competence/performance and recognition alongside declines in interest. Specifications Grading was associated with increased mathematics identity, and multilingual students experienced smaller declines than their peers overall.

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Este estudio examinó la calificación por especificaciones, un sistema de evaluación alternativo que enfatiza resultados de aprendizaje claramente definidos y oportunidades estructuradas de revisión, …

“It’S A Lot More To It Than Just Research”: Integrating Critical Data Literacy And Reasoning With Data Into A Stem Summer Camp, Marc T. Sager, Saki L. Milton, Candace Walkington

Publications

Purpose: This study explores how middle-grade girls from predominantly underrepresented and underserved racially and ethnically minoritized (UUREM) backgrounds developed critical data literacy (CDL) through participation in a week-long residential STEM camp. Given the increasing importance of data science education in a data-driven world, this research examines how informal learning environments can support CDL development among youth from historically marginalized groups.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study draws on qualitative interview data from eleven participants, and their group-produced artifacts to investigate how the camp experience supported engagement with data and the development of CDL. Interviews explored participants' experiences with data collection, organization, analysis, and …

Asset: Scaling Authentic Science Education, Alexandra Forgerson, Carol Colaninno, Rachel Ruggirello, Doug Chalker

Institute for School Partnership: Research & Publications

The Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) Advancing Secondary Science Education through Tetrahymena (ASSET) program is a long-standing science education program that was initially developed at Cornell University and transferred to WashU in 2023. Funded through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA), the ASSET program enhances STEM education by providing research-based, inquiry-driven learning experiences for K-12 students. The program integrates phenomenon-based storylines aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to promote critical thinking and engagement among students. All ASSET learning experiences feature a living model organism, Tetrahymena, a single-celled protozoan that is safe and …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Black Women In Undergraduate Stem Core Expansion Pathways, Lizzie L. Evans Martinez Alvarez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of social incongruence in the film Hidden Figures, which juxtaposed with STEM education as the most powerful in contrast with Black women as the least powerful, supported the argument for the specific problem of practice to examine the unmet need for socially and ethnically diverse student populations in U.S. STEM higher education and careers. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological research study was to identify and analyze the lived experiences of Black women regarding barriers they perceive in the STEM educational and career decision-making processes, while exploring transformational pathways to STEM academic success. The study specifically analyzed …

An Intersectional Framework For Effectively Mentoring Latinas In Stem Fields, Rosalynn A. Vega

Anthropology Faculty Publications

While Latinas are underrepresented across all areas of academia, this problem is especially severe in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This chapter offers a “best practices,” step‑by-step guide for how to effectively mentor Latinas in STEM fields—drawing from interdisciplinary concepts, culled from critical race studies, statistics, and anthropology—and personal experience as a Latina in STEM, mentor, and mentee. Crenshaw’s (1989) theory of intersectionality, Farmer’s (1999) notion of structural violence, and multivariate statistical modeling is used to demonstrate that intersectional inequality can be traced back to social structures. Multi‑gender and multiethnic mentoring by individuals who are motivated to …

Enhancing Science Accessibility And Engagement For Students With Visual Impairments: A Randomized Trial Of The Talking Labquest In Nigerian Schools, Sariat A. Adelakun Dr

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Students with Blindness in Nigeria are often erroneously perceived as incapable of engaging with science at the basic education level, contributing to their low enrolment in science-related careers. Although various techniques and materials have been proposed to support students with blindness in science, many lack empirical validation. This study investigated one such approach by examining the impact of the Talking LabQuest on the interest of Students with blindness in science subjects.

A randomized controlled trial was conducted in inclusive junior secondary schools in Nigeria, involving 20 classrooms over an 18-week period. Twelve classrooms were randomly assigned to the intervention group, …