The current practices with STEM education are leading to reduced retention rates, and the solution is to treat students like scientists, according to Kristi Rudenga (University of Notre Dame). Rudenga explains that the lecture format and assessment methods used in many STEM courses can be disillusioning for students. Since it may not be possible for every STEM course to run high-engagement activities such as research labs or course-based research experiences, Rudenga suggests instructors begin by implementing low-stakes opportunities for students to discuss or create “next questions” about research that they see in class. In fostering such an environment, instructors can then create opportunities for students to propose methods of answering their questions, mimicking the work of real scientists.
