{"id":3552,"date":"2022-09-14T18:55:31","date_gmt":"2022-09-14T18:55:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/cstl\/?page_id=3552"},"modified":"2026-09-10T17:26:54","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T17:26:54","slug":"current-projects","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/center-stem-teaching-learning\/current-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Current Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>CSTL Projects<\/h2>\n<p>Faculty and professional learning associates in the CSTL have a variety of ongoing grant-funded projects including:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><em>Currently being updated!!!<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n        <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"Supporting Undergraduate Preservice Science Teachers through the Development of an NGSS-Aligned Unit Planning Tool_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-1-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-1-panel\">\n            Supporting Undergraduate Preservice Science Teachers through the Development of an NGSS-Aligned Unit Planning Tool\n            <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-1-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-1-trigger\" inert>\n        <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body>\n<p>PI: Ron Gray, Ph.D.<\/p>\n<p>Co-PI: Todd Campbell, Ph.D. (University of Connecticut)<\/p>\n<p>Awarded $299,501 to design, implement, and study a planning tool with embedded instructional heuristics to enable undergraduate secondary education students to engage their students in NGSS-aligned units for the purpose of learning about the epistemic practices of science for classroom implementation. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) IUSE (#<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/awardsearch\/showAward?AWD_ID=2043354&amp;HistoricalAwards=false\">2043354<\/a>). Role: Principal Investigator. Collaborative with Todd Campbell of the University of Connecticut.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n        <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"Community College to Ph.D. Pathways in Computing_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-2-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-2-panel\">\n            Community College to Ph.D. Pathways in Computing\n            <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-2-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-2-trigger\" inert>\n        <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">PI: Jennifer M. Blaney, Ph.D.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Co-PI: David Feldon, Ph.D. (Utah State University)<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Awarded $688,454&nbsp;to examine pathways from community colleges to computing Ph.D. programs, with the larger goal of diversifying the computing professoriate. Utilizing a sample of community college transfer students in computing majors across five research universities, we are empirically testing the efficacy of an intervention to transfer orientation and academic advising developed to foster graduate school aspirations. Additionally, we are using longitudinal surveys and interviews to explore other factors that shape key outcomes for upward transfer computing students, focusing on implications for how to advance equity and broaden access to computing graduate programs.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n        <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"Improving Science Content Knowledge of Undergraduate Elementary Education Majors through Phenomenon-based Science Courses_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-3-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-3-panel\">\n            Improving Science Content Knowledge of Undergraduate Elementary Education Majors through Phenomenon-based Science Courses\n            <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-3-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-3-trigger\" inert>\n        <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body>\n<p>PI: Marti Canipe, Ph.D.<\/p>\n<p>Co-PI: Ron Gray, Ph.D.<\/p>\n<p>Awarded $296,001 to develop and test the effectiveness of phenomenon-based science content courses for prospective elementary teachers. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) IUSE (#<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/awardsearch\/showAward?AWD_ID=2043748&amp;HistoricalAwards=false\">2043748<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n        <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"Planetary Learning that Advances the Nexus of Engineering, Technology, and Science (PLANETS)_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-4-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-4-panel\">\n            Planetary Learning that Advances the Nexus of Engineering, Technology, and Science (PLANETS)\n            <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-4-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-4-trigger\" inert>\n        <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body>\n<p>PI: Joelle LeMer<\/p>\n<p>PLANETS (Planetary Learning that Advances the Nexus of Engineering, Technology, and Science) is a partnership for the development and dissemination of NASA out-of-school time curricular and educator resource modules that integrate planetary science, technology, and engineering, particularly with underrepresented audiences.<\/p>\n<p>Visit the&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/planets-stem.org\/\">PLANETS website<\/a>&nbsp;to access our educator resources<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n        <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"Creating Practice-Ready Bridge Engineers through Anchored Learning_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-5-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-5-panel\">\n            Creating Practice-Ready Bridge Engineers through Anchored Learning\n            <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-5-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-5-trigger\" inert>\n        <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">PI: Robin Tuchscherer, Ph.D.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Research Assistant: Davis Ray<\/p>\n<p>Awarded $$262,903 by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).&nbsp;Traditionally, undergraduate engineering students view their course work as a necessary means toward a degree. At which point, they enter the workforce and learn what it &ldquo;really takes&rdquo; to be an engineer. They do not necessarily view the knowledge acquired as the important means toward the foundational theoretical and mathematical principles needed to be an engineer. Thus, there is a need for an engineering program that provides skills which are more likely to be transferred to engineering practice.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\">In response, the goal of this project is to assess &ldquo;Anchored Instruction&rdquo; as a pedagogical approach for modifying the course of study within an existing undergraduate civil engineering curriculum such that fundamental engineering knowledge is better transferred between theory and practice. The&nbsp;<em>Anchor<\/em>&nbsp;is a highly contextualized scenario or case that would realistically be solved in practice by a bridge designer. Students use the details from the case or&nbsp;<em>Anchor&nbsp;<\/em>to apply theoretical concepts. This project will anchor Statics, Mechanics of Materials, and Structural Analysis to a bridge&nbsp;analysis Anchor, and Reinforced Concrete and Structural Steel to a bridge&nbsp;design Anchor. An additional Bridge Design elective course will be provided as a means of measuring students&rsquo; ability to &lsquo;transfer&rsquo; the theoretical knowledge attained in their foundational courses.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n        <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"FEWSION for Community Resilience_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-6-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-6-panel\">\n            FEWSION for Community Resilience\n            <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-6-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-6-trigger\" inert>\n        <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body>\n<p>PI: Sean Ryan<\/p>\n<p>FEWSION for Community Resilience is a data driven project that leverages the power of citizen science, big data, and community engagement to map supply chains and identify meaningful community actions that improve the resilience and sustainability of food, energy, and water systems. This project was selected for the Keynote Speaker panel for the 2019 National Association of Broader Impacts Symposium.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n        <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"Promoting Academic Success and Professional Development of Underrepresented Engineering Students_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-7-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-7-panel\">\n            Promoting Academic Success and Professional Development of Underrepresented Engineering Students\n            <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-7-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-7-trigger\" inert>\n        <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body>\n<p>PI: Robin Tuchscherer, Ph.D.<\/p>\n<p>Awarded $85,000 from the NAU Elevating Excellence program to&nbsp;provide a cohort of 10 underrepresented civil and environmental engineering students with an &ldquo;apprenticeship&rdquo; learning experience beginning as freshmen and extending into their senior year. In this proposal, &ldquo;underrepresented&rdquo; refers to students&rsquo; who have historically not been retained or who have not graduated from engineering programs at the same rate as others. Including but not limited to students&rsquo; who identify as an ethnic minority, who have parents who did not attend college (i.e., &ldquo;first generation&rdquo;), or a gender minority. Aligned with the &ldquo;NAU 2025 &ndash; Elevating Excellence&rdquo; strategic plan, Native American students are strongly encouraged to apply.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n        <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"STEM Teacher Induction Program_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-8-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-8-panel\">\n            STEM Teacher Induction Program\n            <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-8-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-8-trigger\" inert>\n        <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body>\n<p>CSTL provides online Professional Development and support to 1st and 2nd year middle and high school STEM teachers to support their growth and help them overcome the challenges that lead to 50% of teachers leaving the classroom within the first 5 years of their career. This program improves teacher retention, provides a peer group and expert support, and encourages leadership and sustainability in STEM. Contact joelle.lemer@nau.edu to learn more. See <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/cstl\/induction\/\">here<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- shortcode-right-column -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-right-column\" >\n    <div class=\"shortcode-right-column__container\">\n<!-- shortcode-contact -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-contact\">\n    <div class=\"contact-header\">\n        <h3>Contact Center for STEM Teaching and Learning<\/h3>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"contact-body\">\n                <a href=\"mailto:cstl@nau.edu\" aria-label=\"Contact Center for STEM Teaching and Learning: Email Address\" title=\"Email Address\">\n            <div class=\"contact-icon-container\">\n                <i class=\"fas fa-envelope\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <span class=\"sr-only\">Email:<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"contact-email\">cstl&#8203;@nau.edu<\/div>\n        <\/a>\n                        <a href=\"tel:928-523-7160\" aria-label=\"Contact Center for STEM Teaching and Learning: Telephone Number\" title=\"Telephone Number\">\n            <div class=\"contact-icon-container\">\n                <i class=\"fas fa-phone\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <span class=\"sr-only\">Call:<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"contact-phone\">928-523-7160<\/div>\n        <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">If you have questions or would like to support our efforts please contact us.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<!-- shortcode-button -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-button shortcode-button--center\">\n      <a class=\"main-button\" href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/cstl\/contact-us\/\">Learn more<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CSTL Projects Faculty and professional learning associates in the CSTL have a variety of ongoing grant-funded projects including: Currently being updated!!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ring_central_script_selection":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3552","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/center-stem-teaching-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3552","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/center-stem-teaching-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/center-stem-teaching-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/center-stem-teaching-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/center-stem-teaching-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3552"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/center-stem-teaching-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3552\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4244,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/center-stem-teaching-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3552\/revisions\/4244"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/center-stem-teaching-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/center-stem-teaching-learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3552"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}