Enhanced Teaching and Learning Through Problem-Based Pedagogy in Undergraduate Physical Science Courses for Non-Science Majors

American University, Washington DC

Investigators

Abstract

This project aims to serve the national interest by improving physical science teaching and learning through evidence-based curriculum and pedagogy with undergraduate, non-science majors, including undergraduate elementary teacher candidates. The American University general education program includes five Habits of Mind course requirements in which Natural-Scientific Inquiry is one of the areas. This project will revise two science courses that meet this requirement. Through this IUSE Level 1 Engaged Student Learning project, these two courses will be revised to include problem-based learning, as well as to align course content with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). A key feature of this project is the faculty development dimension associated with implementing the research-based pedagogical strategies in the revised courses. Thus, this project intends to create and test a replicable model of science instruction at a medium-sized, urban, private research university to improve the quality and effectiveness of undergraduate teaching in physical science, as well as to improve undergraduate STEM teaching and learning for non-STEM majors including preservice teacher candidates. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.