RESEARCH
The Shortlidge Biology Education Research Group aims to better understand best practices in teaching and learning in biology and other science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
COURSE-BASED UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCES (CURES)
CUREs embed research into the classroom setting, allowing for more equitable access to authentic research experiences. We study factors that influence experiences and outcomes from CUREs for undergraduate students, graduate student instructors and faculty.
INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE
One of six core competencies outlined in the Vision and Change directive for improving 21st Century Biology Education is for students to be able to "tap into the interdisciplinary nature of science". We developed a framework to guide this work, and a rubric to assess student outcomes.
GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANTS
Graduate students are not only our future faculty, but also are key educators of current undergraduate students. Our work focuses on the experiences and training of graduate teaching assistants.
SENSE OF BELONGING IN STEM
There are a number of factors that predict persistence in college. As part of a NSF-funded S-STEM grant project, we are investigating the factors that lead to belonging in STEM at PSU.
