FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Association of American Universities (AAU) today released a five-year status report highlighting institutional progress in improving the quality of undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teaching and learning resulting from the Undergraduate STEM Education Initiative. The report provides detailed analysis of STEM educational reforms at eight seed-funded AAU STEM project sites. Also, the report identifies key factors necessary to achieve systemic improvements in STEM instruction and highlights numerous evidence-based educational reforms implemented at AAU universities.
“Our member universities are educating tomorrow’s leaders in STEM, preparing them to enter the dynamic 21st Century economy,” noted AAU President Mary Sue Coleman. “It’s critical that our teaching methods are not only effective, but also highly engaging as we work to retain students in STEM fields.”
The eight seed-funded AAU STEM project sites include: Brown University, Michigan State University, University of Arizona, University of California, Davis, University of Colorado Boulder, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Pennsylvania, and Washington University in St. Louis.
The ambitious project, announced in 2011, uses an analytical framework to improve the quality of undergraduate education in STEM fields at AAU universities, particularly at the freshman and sophomore levels. Many studies have shown that the vast majority of students who switched out of STEM fields cited poor teaching as the primary concern, which led AAU to encourage its member universities to reform how introductory STEM classes are taught, making them more interactive and student-centered.
AAU has committed to extend the initial five-year undergraduate STEM effort indefinitely by integrating continued support for STEM education reform.
Founded in 1900, the Association of American Universities comprises 62 distinguished institutions that continually advance society through education, research, and discovery.
Our universities earn the majority of competitively awarded federal funding for academic research, are improving human life andwellbeing through research, and are educating tomorrow’s visionary leaders and global citizens.
AAU members collectively help shape policy for higher education, science, and innovation; promote best practices in undergraduate and graduateeducation; and strengthen the contributions of research universities to society.
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