By: Susan Elrod

On January 21^st, a panel of leading experts in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education set the stage for a conversation with academic leaders regarding the key leverage points and critical questions Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) should be focusing on as we formulate an action agenda for the next five years. Dan Sullivan, president emeritus at St. Lawrence University and a major player in creating the PKAL-AAC&U alliance, introduced Peter Bruns (Howard Hughes Medical Institute), Jim Gentile (Research Corporation), Shirley Malcom (The American Association for the Advancement of Science), and Cora Marrett (National Science Foundation), who provided their perspectives on the current state of undergraduate STEM education reform.

Inspired by the panelists’ identification of issues ranging from providing authentic science learning experiences for all students at all types of institutions to rethinking faculty tenure and promotion systems, over 100 participants in small-group discussions identified three key areas for improving STEM education: 1) making professional development for K-12 teachers, graduate students and faculty more pervasive; 2) continuing to engage external organizations, such as scientific disciplinary societies, corporations, and foundations, to support and give prestige to reform efforts; and 3) tackling difficult institutional issues, such as changing the rigid policies and structures that impede interdisciplinary teaching and learning, and restructuring the first year science curriculum to be more integrative and problem-based.  A need for more widespread use of evidence-based strategies was also identified. Groups were then asked to generate the next generation of questions we should ask  to frame the future work of PKAL. These questions were collected and will inform the continuing planning process (more to come on the PKAL Web site and in subsequent blog postings).

Jay Labov (National Academies of Science) provided a brief synthesis of the discussion, highlighting the 2009 National Research Council report on the New Biology for the 21^st Century. This report calls for a New Biology to that will focus on solving major societal and global problems, such as health, environment, energy, and food. These problems require integrative thinking that involves not only the sciences but also the humanities. Which undergraduate classes prepare students, and not just majors, to address these challenges? How can we move more institutions to offer the kinds of authentic educational experiences that will prepare every student for the world we live in? Jay argued that we are not yet at the tipping point in our reform efforts, but at a place where a rising tide can lift all boats.

We all have a role to play in this work, and PKAL with AAC&U is poised to play its role in raising the level of dialogue and networking to accelerate the pace and reach of STEM reform. This was the first of many conversations we will have with key stakeholder groups around the country. As the new Project Kaleidoscope director, I am looking forward to hearing from these groups, as well as from you. Comments?

Susan Elrod is the director of Project Kaleidoscope at the Association of American Colleges and Universities in Washington, DC.

Tags: AAC&U 2010 Annual Meeting, PKAL, STEM