PRISM: Changing Pedagogy of STEM Faculty
In October 2003, NSF funded the Partnership for Reform In Science and Mathematics (PRISM), an initiative of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) in partnership with the Georgia Department of Education and four regions that include six USG colleges and universities and 15 school districts. One goal is to raise student achievement in science and mathematics (SM) in K-12 schools through increasing and sustaining the number, quality, and diversity of K-12 teachers by strengthening SM content and pedagogy for pre-service teachers. One of the issues faced was how to involve higher education (IHE) faculty in PRISM activities. The work builds on prior research on action research, student learning, learning communities, and change. Three interrelated strategies utilized by PRISM are an Institute on the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics (Institute); a Mini-grants program; and an Academy for Learning (Academy). This work examines strategies to engage SM faculty in active learning interventions in college introductory SM courses.
