My research interests focus on evaluating and improving approaches to teach STEM students in higher education environments to promote learning, engagement in STEM courses, student retention, and retention within the STEM pipeline. My current work centers on evaluating approaches to increase student access to STEM experiential learning experiences, incorporating evidence-based thinking into diverse learning environments, and developing practical training opportunities to support STEM students, faculty and future faculty in their professional development. Through my research activities and work with CASTLE, I am collaboratively working with colleagues to transform STEM teaching and modernize STEM learning across disciplines and educational levels.

Early Undergraduate Research in an International Setting: A Pilot Study (Article)

Author(s): Wang, Haizhi; Smith, Kevin P. W.; Rocheleau, Suzanne E.; Mohan, Jaya; Dandekar, Kapil R.; Fontecchio, Adam K.; Stanford, Jennifer S.

Drexel University piloted the Students Tackling Advanced Research Internationally (iSTAR) Scholars Program, which provides undergraduates with an opportunity to engage in an international experience at a collaborating institution during the summer between their first and second years.

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Early Undergraduate Research Experiences Lead to Similar Learning Gains for STEM and Non-STEM Undergraduates (Article)

Author(s): Jennifer S. Stanford, Suzanne E. Rocheleau, Kevin P.W. Smith & Jaya Mohan

Undergraduate research is touted as a high-impact educational practice yielding important benefits such as increased retention and notable learning gains. Large-scale studies describing benefits of mentored research programs have focused primarily on outcomes for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) undergraduates.

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• Discovery Based Learning