Susan and Cada, both first-generation college students who graduated from Penn State in 1966, had very different educational experiences, particularly in mathematics, as a result of being exposed to vastly different teaching styles in the same courses for majors and non-majors. I have piled up. This led them to believe that there had to be a better way to teach the material.
“Providing educators with the tools to support student learning both in and out of the classroom is a priority for us and the university,” said Tracy Langkild, Vern M. Willaman Dean of the Eberly College of Science. said. “Gifts like this from Susan and Kadda Grove help bring together the most creative minds to collaborate, promote excellence in science teaching and learning, and position our graduates for success.”
The Grove Center integrates a thriving community and university with a focus on using scientific approaches to enhance STEM teaching and learning.
“We collaborate across all departments and disciplines to share, grow, develop, try new things, critically evaluate existing courses and programs, and support innovative ideas. “Globe Center Director Jackie Bortiaczynski said. “We are teachers and researchers, novices and experts, gathered around the common table of STEM education.”
What began more than a decade ago with the establishment of the Center for Science Education, followed by the creation of the Office of Digital Learning, and new initiatives in discipline-based education and research are converging at the Grove Center.
“Asking questions, collecting and using data to apply scientific approaches to teaching and curriculum are essential elements to identifying where as a university we can better support student learning and success.” explained Bortiaczynski. “The Grove Center for Excellence in Science Education, in collaboration with partners from other Penn State colleges and campuses, brings together disciplinary expertise in science teaching and learning. , we are looking ahead to how we can prepare and support instructors to work with students to best learn in our environments.”
Many of the center's activities are conducted by faculty, postdocs, and graduate students, who range from curriculum design and classroom instruction to student engagement and assessment, educational equity, and professional development in graduate student education. This is done through a learning community that works together on a topic. There are regular workshops and discussions where instructors share and learn. One of his is his flagship Evidence-Based Teaching Academy. This is an annual week-long workshop for faculty and graduate students focused on implementing educational practices that are supported by educational research. The center also directly impacts thousands of Penn State students across the university each semester (up to 10,000 per year) through his Learning Assistant program. This program enhances the university's learning environment through undergraduate facilitation and mentoring support. The Center also offers a grant program that supports educational innovation through competitive seed funding.
“Grove Center's gift to support all of these efforts affirms the fundamental importance of education to Penn State's mission and land-grant heritage, and supports Eberly College,” said Mary Beth Williams. “It shows our continued investment in education and research.” , Senior Associate Dean for Science Education at Eberly College.
Donors like the Groves advance the university's historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends help students join the Penn State family and prepare for a lifetime of success. We advance research, advocacy and economic development to strengthen our shared strengths and readiness for the future. and increase the University's impact on families, patients and communities across the Commonwealth and around the world. For more information, visit raise.psu.edu.
