Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education

SRI's education researchers share a passion for enabling all students to learn advanced, conceptual, and challenging aspects of science, technology, engineering, and  math (STEM) that are essential for life in the 21st century. To meet this goal, SRI’s researchers

  • Co-design new STEM materials and approaches with experts in schools, universities, and other organizations

  • Investigate promising and transformative ways of using new technologies

  • Study the implementation of curricular innovations

  • Provide a scientifically grounded perspective on the challenges of improving policies and practices

Our synergistic teams have the ability to examine all aspects of a curricular activity system, including curricular innovation, pedagogy, technology, assessment, and leadership.

Projects

college student at a whiteboard drawing math equations in front of class
Bridging the Valley: A STEP Ahead for STEM Majors

SRI is evaluating the progress of programs that aim to reverse the trend of declining enrollment in STEM programs at four Virginia colleges, and increase the diversity of STEM majors at each institution.

Topics: Community College: Transitions Higher Education + Workforce Development Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
two teenage girl students high-fiving each other, showing a project
Build IT: Girls Building Information Tech Fluency through Design

This afterschool and summer curriculum helps middle school girls develop information technology (IT) fluency, interest in mathematics, and knowledge of IT careers.

Topics: Learning Technologies Out-of-School Learning Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
two girls looking at a world globe and smiling
Contingent Pedagogies for Conceptual Teaching + Learning

Improving classroom assessment is potentially one of the most powerful ways to improve student achievement. To realize such gains, however, teachers must use classroom assessments formatively, that is, to adjust and improve instruction.

Topics: Assessment Design + Evaluation Research on Learning Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education Teacher Quality + Learning
students at computers in a classroom
Evaluation of CISE Pathways to Revitalized Undergraduate Computer Education

The National Science Foundation asked SRI to evaluate its program to transform undergraduate computing education on a national scale.

Topics: 21st Century Skills Community College: Transitions Higher Education + Workforce Development Learning Technologies School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
science teacher in front of students at chalkboard
Evaluation of the ITEST Program

SRI is evaluating the impact and effectiveness of a federally funded effort to meet growing demand for professionals and information technology workers in the United States.

Topics: Learning Technologies Out-of-School Learning School + Community Partnerships Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education Teacher Quality + Learning
high school students in a lab setting, looking at a microscope
Evaluation of the Sustainability and Effectiveness of AP Science Courses

SRI and partners are documenting the fidelity of AP course implementation on student performance.

Topics: Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
teacher surrounded by teenage students at desk
Evaluation of the Texas High School Project

SRI and partners are examining this public-private alliance, which strives to ensure that all of the state's high school students achieve their highest educational potential.

Topics: School Improvement Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
two teen students working together
Innovative Teaching and Learning Research

SRI has found that when teachers collaboratively analyze learning activities and student work, they can advance 21st century teaching and learning.

Topics: Evaluation Planning + Design Large-Scale Surveys Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education Teacher Quality + Learning
teacher sitting on floor with young students
Learning Progressions

An SRI team is studying how young children with and without learning disabilities think about and learn important concepts in mathematics.

Topics: Assessment Design + Evaluation Community College + Workforce: Disabled Veterans: Transitions to Civilian Life Early Childhood Learning Technologies Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education Special Education/Disability Teacher Quality + Learning
Two images of students working in classrooms
PADI: Evidence-Centered Design

Conventional tests often fail to measure what is most important in student learning. Since 2001, SRI has been measuring important knowledge, skills, and abilities in science.

Topics: Assessment Design + Evaluation Learning Technologies School Improvement Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education

Press Releases

Seventh-graders at laptop
Department of Education Funds Four-Year Research Evaluation of Mathematics Online Tutoring System

Research team to study seventh-grade mathematics students and teachers in more than 50 schools throughout Maine.

Topics: 21st Century Skills Out-of-School Learning Research on Learning School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction School Improvement: Student Success Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
JMU Partnership Receives $1.5 Million to Promote STEM Education

Efforts by James Madison University (JMU) and other area colleges and universities to boost enrollment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors have received nearly $1.5 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Topics: Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
AP science class
National Science Foundation-funded Study to Examine if New AP Science Courses Advance Student Progress onto Science and Engineering Career Track

New research study will provide the first experimental evidence on the effects of high school students taking an inquiry-based AP science course and whether it impacts educational progress and success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

Topics: 21st Century Skills Educational Impact Evaluation School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction School Improvement: Student Success Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
middle school children in a classroom with teacher looking on
No Clear Path to Mathematics Learning in California

New research makes clear that students doing well in seventh grade math are more likely to succeed in advanced math classes when they reach high school.

Topics: 21st Century Skills Large-Scale Surveys Research on Learning School Improvement: Student Success Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
SRI International Research Validates Effective Math Education Approach for Teaching Complex Concepts to Middle School Students

SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development organization, announced the results of two randomized studies evaluating the effectiveness of the SimCalc program, a technology-based approach to teaching advanced math concepts.

Topics: Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
SRI International Study Shows Increased Middle School Mathematics Learning with Technology-Based Approach

SRI International has provided compelling evidence that SimCalc, a technology-enhanced mathematics program, has increased middle school students’ mathematics learning.

Topics: School Improvement: Curriculum + Instruction Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
SRI International's Evaluation of TechPALS Software Shows Promising Results in Teaching Fractions

SRI International released results of its evaluation of the Technology-Mediated Peer-Assisted Learning (TechPALS) software program, showing that students learned more using TechPALS technology.

Topics: Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
SRI International's Jeremy Roschelle Discusses SimCalc Results and the Importance of Technology in Learning at DLAC-II Symposium in Singapore

SRI International researcher Jeremy Roschelle, Ph.D., will speak at the Distributed Learning and Collaboration (DLAC-II) symposium in Singapore. His lecture offers evidence and support for continued scaling up of the SimCalc program and the role of technology in math and science learning.

Topics: Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
SRI Study: Rocketship Students Experience Stronger Math Gains with More Online Instruction

First-of-its-kind study of Rocketship's use of adaptive, online learning programs as part of its hybrid model; study shows positive impact of online math instruction on student achievement gains

Topics: Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
SRI to Host Webcast of Cyberlearning Research Summit
SRI to Host Webcast of Cyberlearning Research Summit

The Cyberlearning Research Summit, organized by SRI International and the Lawrence Hall of Science, will feature discussions on the future of learning, and the technology necessary for scalable and lasting advances in STEM education.

Topics: Out-of-School Learning Research on Learning Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education

SRI In the News

TeraGrid '11 Keynote Speaker Nora Sabelli Calls for New Ways to Teach Science

This article describes a keynote address at the TeraGrid ‘11 conference by SRI's Nora Sabelli, a senior science advisor. Sabelli said that the scientific community, along with the National Science Foundation leadership, must rethink...

Topics: Learning Technologies Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education

Publications

Evaluation of the Texas High School Project: Third Comprehensive Annual Report

Third and culminating report of the four-year longitudinal evaluation of the Texas High School Project (THSP).

Topics: School Improvement Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
Evaluation of the Texas High School Project: Second Comprehensive Annual Report

This report is the second comprehensive annual report of the Texas High School Project (THSP) evaluation.

Topics: School Improvement Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
Study of the Austin Independent School District's Redesign and High School Reform Initiative: Interim Report

This report describes the Austin Independent School District’s recent effort to improve its high schools through a variety of initiatives led by the Office of District Redesign.

Topics: School Improvement Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
Evaluation of the Texas High School Project: First Comprehensive Annual Report

This first annual report of the Evaluation of the Texas High School Project (THSP) describes early findings for schools beginning reform implementation in the 2006–07 and 2007-08 school years.

Topics: School Improvement Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education
21st Century Skills in STEM Workforce Training Assessments

What skills do tech employers seek? A new vision for teaching STEM tech education is posited.

Topics: 21st Century Skills Assessment Design + Evaluation Community College: Transitions Community College: Reform to Support Real-World Learning Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education Technology Opportunities
Evaluation of the Texas High School Project: Study of State Context for Policy Reform Final Report, State Policy Review

The evaluation of the Texas High School Project (THSP) is being conducted by SRI with the overarching goal of discerning the impact of THSP on student outcomes.This report describes the process of and findings from the study on the state context for high school reform.

Topics: School Improvement Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics Education

Divisions, Centers + Labs