Evidence-Based STEM Teaching for University Instructors

Teaching in the STEM disciplines requires more than just subject-matter expertise; it demands an understanding of how students actually learn and retain complex scientific concepts. This course provides university educators and aspiring instructors with the foundational principles of evidence-based pedagogy to transform their classrooms into active, inclusive, and highly effective learning environments. By completing this course, you will transition from traditional lecturing to student-centered teaching practices that are proven by cognitive and educational research. You will gain the skills to design structured lessons, engage diverse student groups, and accurately measure comprehension. What you'll learn: - Understand the core cognitive science principles behind how adult students acquire and retain STEM knowledge - Design active learning strategies that encourage critical thinking and real-time problem-solving - Formulate clear, measurable learning objectives aligned with course assessments - Apply formative and summative assessment techniques to monitor and guide student progress - Implement inclusive teaching practices that support diverse student backgrounds in STEM classrooms - Practice analyzing classroom data and student feedback to continuously refine your instructional methods This course begins with essential educational terminology, foundational learning theories, and the empirical research supporting active learning. You will then progress through practical strategies for lesson planning, designing collaborative group work, and building fair, transparent grading frameworks. This course is designed for current university faculty, graduate teaching assistants, postdocs, and future educators in STEM fields who have no prior formal training in education theory. Start your journey toward becoming a more impactful, evidence-based educator today.