Elementary

Creating Inclusive PreK–12 STEM Learning Environments

Brief CoverBroadening participation in PreK–12 STEM provides ALL students with STEM learning experiences that can prepare them for civic life and the workforce.

Author/Presenter

Malcom Butler

Cory Buxton

Odis Johnson Jr.

Leanne Ketterlin-Geller

Catherine McCulloch

Natalie Nielsen

Arthur Powell

Year
2018
Short Description

This brief offers insights from National Science Foundation-supported research for education leaders and policymakers who are broadening participation in science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics (STEM). Many of these insights confirm knowledge that has been reported in research literature; however, some offer a different perspective on familiar challenges.

Transdisciplinary STEM: Converging Around Inquiry

The disciplines provide a wealth of resources to make sense of complex problems; when taking a transdisciplinary approach, students have the opportunity to engage in inquiry with local issues of meaning that can allow for deeper learning and engagement. Curriculum design experts from the Center for Technology and School Change propose a process for teachers to design STEM curriculum that prioritizes inquiry rooted in the community that empowers students to be active participants in a democratic society.

Author/Presenter

Seth McCall

Karen Kirsch Page

Ellen Meier

Jessica Yusaitis Pike

Caron Mineo

Year
2025
Short Description

Curriculum design experts from the Center for Technology and School Change propose a process for teachers to design STEM curriculum that prioritizes inquiry rooted in the community that empowers students to be active participants in a democratic society.

Inquiry-based Science Instruction for Students with Disabilities: A Systematic and Meta-analytic Review

Developing scientific literacy is necessary for students with disabilities (SWD) as it supports the ability to create solutions to real-world problems and understand current events, and it strengthens critical thinking, problem-solving, and complex communication skills. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate extant literature on inquiry-based science interventions for SWD in service of developing scientific practices. We identified 26 studies in 22 articles and 3 dissertations for inclusion in this review.

Author/Presenter

Sarah Emily Wilson

William J. Therrien

Jenna Gersib

Megan Rojo

Victoria J. VanUitert

Gail Lovette

Maria A. Longhi

Sarah Benson

Sarah R. Powell

Christian T. Doabler

Lead Organization(s)
Year
2025
Short Description

Developing scientific literacy is necessary for students with disabilities (SWD) as it supports the ability to create solutions to real-world problems and understand current events, and it strengthens critical thinking, problem-solving, and complex communication skills. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate extant literature on inquiry-based science interventions for SWD in service of developing scientific practices.

Designing for Systemic Coherence: A Framework for Supporting Instructional Improvement in Mathematics Education

Design research offers an approach for developing innovations in authentic educational settings and generating knowledge about learning and the designs that support it. Yet scaling and sustaining these innovations across contexts remains a persistent challenge. In this paper, we present a design framework developed by a nine-year partnership focused on building a statewide professional learning infrastructure for mathematics education.

Author/Presenter

P. Holt Wilson

Michelle Stephan

Allison W. McCulloch

Catherine Schwartz

Katherine Mawhinney

Year
2025
Short Description

Design research offers an approach for developing innovations in authentic educational settings and generating knowledge about learning and the designs that support it. Yet scaling and sustaining these innovations across contexts remains a persistent challenge. In this paper, we present a design framework developed by a nine-year partnership focused on building a statewide professional learning infrastructure for mathematics education.

Designing for Systemic Coherence: A Framework for Supporting Instructional Improvement in Mathematics Education

Design research offers an approach for developing innovations in authentic educational settings and generating knowledge about learning and the designs that support it. Yet scaling and sustaining these innovations across contexts remains a persistent challenge. In this paper, we present a design framework developed by a nine-year partnership focused on building a statewide professional learning infrastructure for mathematics education.

Author/Presenter

P. Holt Wilson

Michelle Stephan

Allison W. McCulloch

Catherine Schwartz

Katherine Mawhinney

Year
2025
Short Description

Design research offers an approach for developing innovations in authentic educational settings and generating knowledge about learning and the designs that support it. Yet scaling and sustaining these innovations across contexts remains a persistent challenge. In this paper, we present a design framework developed by a nine-year partnership focused on building a statewide professional learning infrastructure for mathematics education.

Designing for Systemic Coherence: A Framework for Supporting Instructional Improvement in Mathematics Education

Design research offers an approach for developing innovations in authentic educational settings and generating knowledge about learning and the designs that support it. Yet scaling and sustaining these innovations across contexts remains a persistent challenge. In this paper, we present a design framework developed by a nine-year partnership focused on building a statewide professional learning infrastructure for mathematics education.

Author/Presenter

P. Holt Wilson

Michelle Stephan

Allison W. McCulloch

Catherine Schwartz

Katherine Mawhinney

Year
2025
Short Description

Design research offers an approach for developing innovations in authentic educational settings and generating knowledge about learning and the designs that support it. Yet scaling and sustaining these innovations across contexts remains a persistent challenge. In this paper, we present a design framework developed by a nine-year partnership focused on building a statewide professional learning infrastructure for mathematics education.

Designing for Systemic Coherence: A Framework for Supporting Instructional Improvement in Mathematics Education

Design research offers an approach for developing innovations in authentic educational settings and generating knowledge about learning and the designs that support it. Yet scaling and sustaining these innovations across contexts remains a persistent challenge. In this paper, we present a design framework developed by a nine-year partnership focused on building a statewide professional learning infrastructure for mathematics education.

Author/Presenter

P. Holt Wilson

Michelle Stephan

Allison W. McCulloch

Catherine Schwartz

Katherine Mawhinney

Year
2025
Short Description

Design research offers an approach for developing innovations in authentic educational settings and generating knowledge about learning and the designs that support it. Yet scaling and sustaining these innovations across contexts remains a persistent challenge. In this paper, we present a design framework developed by a nine-year partnership focused on building a statewide professional learning infrastructure for mathematics education.

Engineering in Action: Hands-On Strategies for Students with MSD

This presentation, Engineering in Action: Hands-On Strategies for Students with MSD, was given at the Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) 2025 Diverse Learners Institute in Louisville, KY on July 15, 2025.

Author/Presenter

Project Bees Team

Lead Organization(s)
Year
2025
Short Description

This presentation, Engineering in Action: Hands-On Strategies for Students with MSD, was given at the Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) 2025 Diverse Learners Institute in Louisville, KY on July 15, 2025.

Developing Inclusive Engineering Education Opportunities

This presentation, Developing Inclusive Engineering Education Opportunities, was given at the 2025 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference and Exposition in Montreal, Canada on June 23, 2025.

Author/Presenter

Bree Jimenez

Ginevra Courtade

Mary Rathmann

Christine Cunningham

Lead Organization(s)
Year
2025
Short Description

This presentation, Developing Inclusive Engineering Education Opportunities, was given at the 2025 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference and Exposition in Montreal, Canada on June 23, 2025.

What Does Knowledge of Dialogue and Argument Mean for Elementary Teachers’ Instructional Practices? A Case Study

This study aimed to explore the development of teachers’ knowledge of dialogue and argument through three specific knowledge bases: declarative, procedural, and epistemic. Additionally, the study sought to understand the implications of this knowledge for implementing a knowledge generation approach in classroom settings. To achieve these objectives, a multiple-case study was conducted with 12 elementary teachers who participated in a professional development (PD) program centered on the Science Writing Heuristic (SWH), an approach designed to promote knowledge generation.

Author/Presenter

Jale Ercan Dursun

Jee Kyung Suh

Brian Hand

Lead Organization(s)
Year
2025
Short Description

This study aimed to explore the development of teachers’ knowledge of dialogue and argument through three specific knowledge bases: declarative, procedural, and epistemic. Additionally, the study sought to understand the implications of this knowledge for implementing a knowledge generation approach in classroom settings. To achieve these objectives, a multiple-case study was conducted with 12 elementary teachers who participated in a professional development (PD) program centered on the Science Writing Heuristic (SWH), an approach designed to promote knowledge generation.