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…

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.…

This brief describes examples of research and development (R&D) sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) that are designed to advance knowledge and practice in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. It highlights just a few of the many R&D projects that have the potential to equip educators in…

Innovative K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education has been recognized by policy-makers as important to future economic growth. However, in practice, the science and mathematics domains receive more attention than technology and engineering. This may change given the prominence of engineering in the "Next…