UMass Dartmouth professer earns grant for STEM education research

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS DARTMOUTH professor Walter Stroup is the recipient of a $457,755 grant from the National Science Foundation to develop new strategies for teachers that will result in more engaged middle and high schoolers in STEM classes. / COURTESY UMASS DARTMOUTH
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS DARTMOUTH professor Walter Stroup is the recipient of a $457,755 grant from the National Science Foundation to develop new strategies for teachers that will result in more engaged middle and high schoolers in STEM classes. / COURTESY UMASS DARTMOUTH

DARTMOUTH – University of Massachusetts Dartmouth associate professor of STEM education and teacher development Walter Stroup has received a $457,755 grant from the National Science Foundation. According to a university news release, the grant will help develop new strategies for middle and high school teachers to foster interest in science, technology, engineering and math careers.

Stroup’s project, based at UMass Dartmouth’s Kaput Center for Research and Innovation in STEM Education, focuses on demonstrating the benefits of collaborative, cloud-based learning, in which students work in groups to solve real-world problems – from traffic jams to the spread of infectious diseases – using math and science skills.

“Young people are curious, creative and social beings, so it only makes sense to get them into a hands-on problem solving endeavor with their peers,” said Stroup. “They will be motivated to learn the math and science needed to succeed in their mission.”

Stroup’s primary collaborator on the project is Anthony Petrosino, associate professor at the University of Texas College of Education. Stroup worked with Petrosino for several years prior to joining UMass Dartmouth in September 2016.

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The goal of the project is to show evidence that network-supported, group-based social learning and instruction can improve the learning outcomes of all students across racial and ethnic backgrounds.

The full NSF award is in collaboration with academics from Northwestern and Vanderbilt universities.

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