SRI Education’s visionary approach to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Computer Science (CS) education involves leveraging multidisciplinary teams to critically examine and inform the development of comprehensive programs and systems. These teams comprise experts from various fields, including education, technology, and industry, working collaboratively to enhance the overall quality of STEM&CS education. This collaborative effort ensures a well-rounded perspective that incorporates diverse insights into pedagogy, technology use, performance metrics, assessment strategies, equity considerations, and alignment with educational standards and frameworks.
Pedagogy stands as a cornerstone in shaping effective STEM&CS education. Our STEM&CS team embraces innovative teaching methods that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and experiences that require cognitive and physical interactions with phenomena. This includes promoting inquiry-based learning, project-based activities, and real-world applications, creating an engaging and dynamic learning environment that prepares students for the challenges of the future. Technology use is integral to this vision, encompassing not only the integration of cutting-edge tools but also fostering digital literacy, equity and access, and responsible technology use among teachers and students. By incorporating emerging technologies into curriculum and assessment design, educators can provide students with the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Performance assessment becomes a crucial element in evaluating the effectiveness of STEM&CS education initiatives. Our STEM&CS team prioritizes the development of comprehensive, equitable, and fair assessment methods that capture not only content knowledge but also skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity. Equity considerations are interwoven throughout our design and development processes, ensuring that STEM&CS education resources address and bridge existing gaps in access, participation, and achievement. All members of our team demonstrate leadership in innovation, which is essential for driving systemic change and championing the integration of STEM and CS education into broader educational goals. Our team is made up of strong collaborators and innovators as we create of an inclusive educational environment that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
Evaluation research and impact studies in education are critical methodologies for determining the effectiveness, outcomes, and overall impact of educational programs, interventions, and policies. Our STEM&CS team engages in projects that addresses fundamental questions about the success and areas of improvement within educational initiatives. Our evaluation and impact research delves into the implementation process, examining how well a program is executed, and our impact studies focus on measuring the effects resulting from the educational intervention.
The STEM&CS team engages in research that includes:
- Topics that are domain specific (math, science, computer science) and intersections across domains
- Digital learning crossovers in computational modeling and simulations, game-based learning, programming for mathematics, e-textbooks, artificial intelligence, and machine learning
- Broadening participation for women and girls in science and computer science, underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, students with disabilities, and multilingual learners
The STEM&CS team conducts research in a range of settings, including:
- Elementary and postsecondary education
- Formal and informal settings
- Workforce upskilling and reskilling
The STEM&CS team uses various methods to accomplish successful and innovative research, including:
- Curriculum design
- Assessment design
- Evaluation
- Technical assistance
- Design cycles
Center for Education Research and Innovation Equity and Inclusion statement: Equity is defined by our unwavering commitment to create and maintain an inclusive and supportive work environment for all staff members. We recognize and respect the diversity of experiences and perspectives each staff member brings. We also recognize the intersectional roles that race, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, ability status, language, and other social identifiers play in our organization, the education ecosystem, and society at large. We are dedicated to identifying and dismantling barriers that impede fair access to professional opportunities and resources.