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The CU Science Education Initiative was

a university-supported, 10-year, $5M project to improve how we teach science to all undergraduate students. The SEI centered on department-based Discipline-Based Education Specialists (DBESs); disciplinary experts with training in the science of teaching and learning who serve as catalysts of change within departments.  The initiative completed in 2013. 

Please read our free SEI Handbook to find information on implementing an SEI-like program at your institution.

The SEI focused on:

  1. supporting faculty to approach the teaching of science as a science, that is to:

    • Identify difficulties in and develop an understanding of student learning by using or developing research-based tools/techniques to monitor student learning.

    • Use instructional approaches guided by research on learning and measures of student learning.

    • Develop and utilize beneficial educational technology.

    • Archive and disseminate proven methods and materials.

  2. supporting institutional change through departmentally-driven efforts to achieve sustained improvements in their students' learning.

On this site you will find key deliverables from the project:

  1. Resources for instructors, including course transformation, use of clickers and learning goals, and engaging students in active learning.
  2. Course archives from departments involved in the SEI.
  3. Published papers from the SEI work.
SEI handbook cover

Video about the SEI

 

The CU Science Education Initiative is part of a partnership with the Carl Wieman Science Education Inititative (CW-SEI) at the University of British Columbia CU and UBC actively collaborate on their efforts to improve science education on college campuses. Visit CW-SEI at UBC.