IU has joined a national center for diversifying faculty and improving quality of university education in scientific, technological, engineering and mathematical fields.
Members of the Center for the Integration of Research, Training and Learning are committed to promoting vetted teaching methods and mentoring techniques for STEM graduate students, according to an IU press release.
IU is among 25 new members joining the center. Membership will include both IU-Bloomington and IU-Purdue University Indianapolis. The University Graduate School will play a major role in bringing CIRTL practices to IU.
“These core ideas support the goals of the University Graduate School and Indiana University as a whole by supporting the academic endeavors of our students and graduating students who are well-prepared to establish themselves as leading researchers and academics in their fields of study, especially in the STEM fields,” said James Wimbush, dean of the University Graduate School, in the release.
CIRTL was established in 2003 with money from the National Science Foundation.
Through improving graduate education, CIRTL aims to create a national community of STEM educators who can help students from all backgrounds earn STEM degrees.
Ultimately, the goal of the center is to improve the STEM learning of all students at every college and university, thus increasing diversity in STEM fields and STEM literacy nationwide.
Teaching strategies promoted by CIRTL are anchored in inclusion and experience.
They include connecting classroom topics to real-world situations, promoting inclusive learning, encouraging teamwork through shared projects and study groups and using research skills to advance effective teaching practices.
Although they share goals and practices, every member of CIRTL develops programs and resources specific to their campus’ needs.
At IU, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the social and health sciences, humanities, education and STEM disciplines will be encouraged to participate in center events to enhance their training and career development.
With 46 members in total, CIRTL also champions networking between universities and colleges. It aims to expand into thousands of members in the next several years.
“Historically, STEM graduate coursework and effort have been focused on creating researchers in specific academic fields,” said Kitch Barnicle, CIRTL executive director, in the release.
“As a matter of fact, new professors often face their first classes of students with little preparation in teaching. Our goal is to develop great researchers who also are great teachers, not one or the other.”
Taylor Telford
