STEM Instructional Improvement That Works

Event speaker

Heather Hill, Jerome T. Murphy Professor in Education, Harvard University
Kathleen Lynch, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Brown University

Date
-
Location
Two-Week Online Workshops

Gain a deeper understanding of effective STEM instructional improvement programs – including the features and characteristics that lead to improved student outcomes.

Overview

With today’s heightened focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, school leaders continue to look for ways to enhance instructional methods and raise STEM achievement levels. At the same time, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) mandates that districts receiving Title I funding implement “evidence-based interventions” – with both requirements and incentives in place to improve student performance around STEM.

Professional Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) has introduced a new online workshop, STEM Instructional Improvement That Works, which incorporates findings from cutting-edge HGSE research analyzing the program characteristics -- for both professional development programs and curriculum for students -- that generate better student outcomes. In addition, participants will gain access to a list of effective STEM instructional improvement programs and begin to develop the basis for a STEM-related action plan that can improve student performance in their learning context.

Program Details

The two-week online workshop offers participants the opportunity to increase their understanding of the role STEM professional development programs and curriculum materials play in generating better outcomes for students. Specific activities include:

  • Video lectures
  • Reading materials culled from relevant research
  • Online discussions with fellow participants
  • Exploration, reflection, and self-assessment exercises
  • Examination of effective STEM curriculum and professional development programs
  • Identification of STEM-related instructional goals and development of an action plan to reach them

The online workshop will require a total of five to seven hours of work. Participants who complete all individual assessments and contribute to group discussions will receive a certificate indicating completion of five clock hours of instruction.