Advancing Methods and Synthesizing Research in STEM Education: The Discovery Research PreK-12 Program

Rigorous research and methods are essential for developing, testing, and scaling innovations in STEM education. This project provides the STEM community with opportunities to 1) learn about recent intellectual contributions and the broader impact of grants awarded by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Discovery Research PreK-12 program (DRK-12) and 2) increase their methodological knowledge to evaluate new or existing STEM education innovations and approaches.

In 2019 and 2020, AIR partnered with methodological experts and hosted four webinar series for current and aspiring grantees. The topics included: (a) applying social network analysis to STEM education, (b) evidence standards for math and science programs, (c) measuring program implementation, and (d) conducting systemic literature reviews. These webinars and related resources have been archived on the CADRE (EDC) website and available to the public.

AIR has developed four research syntheses on: (a) argumentation, (b) scientific modeling, (c) pedagogical knowledge content, and (d) elementary science instruction. Each synthesis describes the DRK-12 projects funded between 2011- 2015, identifies cross-cutting findings, and makes suggestions for future research.