University Educators Urge Innovative Science Teaching to Sharpen Incoming Students’ Skills

At the start of 2011, the nation’s attention was focused on the plight of science education. Results of the 2009 National Assessment of Education Progress released in January showed that very few K-12 students have the advanced skills that could lead to careers in science and technology. And U.S. President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address and his proposed fiscal year 2012 budget emphasized the need for science, technology, engineering and math education to drive the economy of the future.

Poor science scores and a faltering economy are sharpening the need to improve undergraduate education, said speakers at the 2011 Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science, sponsored by the National Science Foundation and AAAS.

Although much of the national attention has been focused on pre-college students, “the performance from K-12 students is connected to the capability of their teachers,” said Shirley M. Malcom, director of AAAS Education and Human Resources. “The development of this capability is a responsibility that begins in our colleges and universities.”

Read more about the TUES conference and challenges for undergraduate STEM education.