Science Literacy Program

Our mission is support student success through development of excellent science teachers.

University of Oregon
Established: 2010

[scilit.uoregon.edu]

Profile submitted by Elly Vandegrift

Vision and Goals

The University of Oregon Science Literacy Program (SLP) makes a real-world difference in the lives of UO students by building science literacy among undergraduate students, giving science students mentored teaching opportunities to implement active learning, and providing faculty with teaching professional development.

Center/Program Structure

SLP is an interdisciplinary program including Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Earth Sciences, Human Physiology, and Physics housed in the College of Arts and Sciences focused on General Education science course reform. The program administration includes two Co-Directors (tenured faculty from biology and physics), an Associate Director, a Senior Research Associate, and a Graduate Education Mentor.

Funding

SLP was launched by a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Science Education Grant in 2010. The program is currently funded through the Provost & Senior Vice President, College of Arts and Sciences, and Graduate School.

Description of Programming

SLP programming is designed to reach student and faculty audiences at the University of Oregon:

1. Undergraduate non-science majors who are enrolled in a general education science course focused on building science literacy;
2. Undergraduate and graduate science students who receive pedagogical and science communication training; and
3. Faculty who teach SLP-affiliated courses who receive support in pedagogical and science communication innovation.

SLP supports General Education courses that promote student-centered teaching and communication of science where students are empowered to consider scientific approaches to societal issues and have the opportunity to learn how to process and critique scientific information. Students can enroll in one of 40+ courses affiliated with the program such as Quantum Mechanics for Everyone; Science, Policy, and Biology; People, Rocks, and Fire (How Societies Navigate Energy Transitions); Introduction to Chemical Principals; and The Truth About Health.

Graduate fellows and undergraduate scholars from the sciences have mentored teaching opportunities where they learn the theory and practice of scientific teaching and effectively communicating ideas to audiences of non-scientists. Fellows and scholars attend a weekly science education journal club (co-facilitated with the UO Teaching Engagement Program) focusing on reading current research and discussing applicability to the classroom. Students may also enroll in a science pedagogy course or attend workshops such as the week long Summer Institute on Scientific Teaching or Alda Center for Communicating Science workshops. Undergraduate scholars enroll in a two-credit practicum and graduate fellows are hired as graduate employees.

The program enables and assists faculty in improving teaching techniques using evidence-based pedagogy focusing on science literacy. Faculty also attend pedagogy and science communication trainings.

Successes and Impacts

Approximately, 3,000 students each year enroll in SLP-Affiliated courses in Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Earth Sciences, Human Physiology, and Physics. Work on documenting student gains in science literacy are ongoing. Over 300 undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty have received pedagogical or science communication training since program inception.

Evaluation and Assessment

Evaluation of student science literacy gains and the experience of undergraduate scholars and graduate fellows is ongoing.

Elements Contributing to Success

Support from campus administrators, a community of practice focused on science education through our weekly journal club, and dedicated program administrators have been key to the program success.

Supplemental Materials

Journal club resources are available on our bibliography page: http://scilit.uoregon.edu/journal-club/bibliography/bibliography-by-topic/