Collaborative research: evaluating the impact of the promoting active learning and mentoring (PALM) network on vision

This $602,858 National Science Foundation project grant to Chapman University will evaluate the impact of the Promoting Active Learning and Mentoring (PALM) Network on implementing the Vision and Change (V&C) framework for undergraduate biology education. Through a mixed-methods approach including surveys and interviews, the project aims to determine the extent to which V&C principles motivated participation in PALM, characterize perceptions of V&C among instructors involved, and examine the network's influence on associated professional societies' engagement with undergraduate biology education. A subaward of $100,000 to Florida International University will support development of initial surveys, protocols for focus groups and interviews at professional meetings, and qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Results will be disseminated on the Quantitive Undergraduate Biology Education website and through publications to document V&C's current reach and potential for further adoption among educators. Funded under the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education program, this project aligns with the National Science Foundation's mission to strengthen STEM education.

Abstract

Vision & change (V & C) in undergraduate biology education: a call to action proposed a new vision for effective undergraduate life science education. Vision & change called on educators to use evidence-based practices to emphasize experiential learning, authentic research experiences, and active learning approaches for providing undergraduates with the engagement and passion necessary to remain in stem disciplines and pursue careers in stem fields. The report has been influential in the undergraduate life science education community over the last decade, yet few studies have been undertaken to determine the extent to which V & C concepts and competencies have penetrated the community of biology educators. This project will leverage the promoting active learning and mentoring (PALM) network (NSF award #1624200), to study the penetrance of V & C concepts and competencies across the network and the professional societies involved in the PALM project. The project team will utilize a mixed methods approach to support combining the strength of quantitative surveys that reach all PALM participants with qualitative semi-structured interviews to further probe participants? Motivations, implementation, and dissemination of vision & change principles in more detail. The project aims to: 1) determine to what extent vision & change principles motivated mentors or mentees to join PALM; 2) characterize perceptions of vision & change among instructors and educators involved in the PALM network, and determine the impact of this network and mentorship on perceptions, implementation, and dissemination of vision & change principles within departments; and 3) examine the impact of the PALM network on its associated professional societies and assess how vision & change has influenced these societies? Engagement with undergraduate biology education while this work is instructor-focused, its impact will be multiplied by the number of undergraduate students taught by these instructors. The project team will disseminate protocols, surveys, training materials, and results on a centralized website (QUBES), at scientific conferences, and by open-access publications. The products created and shared will document the current reach of V & C and have the potential to extend V & C to an even greater number of educators. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.