This report is focused on what research and practice indicate about how assessment impacts the teaching and learning of STEM subject matter in K-12 classrooms. The intent is to take stock of what is currently known as well as what needs to be known to make classroom assessment in STEM maximally beneficial for the instructional practices of…

This is the executive summary for the full report, "Classroom-Based STEM Assessment: Contemporary Issues and Perspectives." This report is focused on what research and practice indicate about how assessment impacts the teaching and learning of STEM subject matter in K-12 classrooms. The intent is to take stock of what is currently known…

Major developments over the past two decades in STEM education and classroom assessment provide a compelling argument for shifting the focus of assessment toward the classroom where its most powerful benefits can be realized. The increased emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion in education puts increased scrutiny on assessment practices and…

This tool is designed for early career STEM education researchers and developers to offer tips for pursuing careers in academia. The advice largely comes from National Science Foundation-funded awardees who have graciously shared information about their own career pathways, work experiences, and perspectives.

The Community for Advancing Discovery Research in Education (CADRE) offers advice on becoming a successful researcher in the field of STEM education and a portrait of an early career researcher support program. The advice offered throughout the guide comes from experienced researchers who are part of the National Science Foundation's Discovery…

Quality early STEM experiences provide a critical foundation for learning about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in ways that facilitate later learning. Early childhood educators have a unique opportunity to benefit all students by bringing the STEM disciplines into greater balance with literacy, reducing early inequities…

Broadening participation in PreK-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) provides ALL students with STEM learning experiences that can prepare them for civic life and the workforce. In this way, broadening participation has the potential to transform society by reducing social and economic inequities, and by bringing new…

The Community for Advancing Discovery Research in Education (CADRE) Early Career Guide offers advice on becoming a successful researcher in the field of STEM education and a portrait of an early career researcher support program. The advice offered throughout the guide comes from experienced researchers who are part of the National Science…

Online modes of teacher professional development (PD) have gained prominence in recent years for their potential to transform and expand access to high-quality resources and experiences that positively impact teachers' knowledge, beliefs, instructional practices, and ultimately, student learning. However, with the increasing demand for and…

This brief examines the continued underrepresentation of African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and women of all racial and ethnic backgrounds in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields; explains the benefits of collaboration around broadening participation; and offers guidance on building partnerships as a strategy…

This STEM Smart brief describes the challenges of implementing the "Next Generation Science Standards" (NGSS) as well as research and promising practices in curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development adopting the NGSS.

K-12 schools play a pivotal role in fostering science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) literacy. STEM classes can help students hone the analytic and problem-solving prowess they need to face complex challenges at home, at work, and in the world. STEM skills and knowledge can prepare students to pursue a wide range of rewarding careers.…

This brief presents findings from a 2014 [Community for Advancing Discovery Research in Education] CADRE study of early career STEM education researchers and veteran principal investigators and their experiences with early career mentoring, either of themselves or of others. The findings describe successful mentoring strategies, as well as…

This Community for Advancing Discovery Research in Education (CADRE) Early Career identifies needs, supports and recommendations for early career researchers and developers in the Discovery Research (DR) K-12 program, as well as in the broader field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education research and development…

The National Science Foundation's (NSF) DR K-12 program seeks to enhance the teaching and learning of STEM in K-12 education by funding the "development, testing, deployment, effectiveness, and/or scale-up of innovative resources, models, and tools" in STEM areas. This work takes on many forms, including computer games and simulations.…