Transformative Teaching in Science

Abstract: Instructors play a critical role in shaping students’ experiences in science classrooms. Some extend beyond conventional teaching practices to make content more relevant, support students’ complex reasoning, and increase students’ sense of belonging. Such transformative teaching can improve student outcomes and experiences while mitigating inequities faced by minoritized students in STEM. Our research examines transformative teaching across educators’ stages of professional growth, instructional settings, and timescales. In this talk, I will describe how classroom writing activities, facilitated by graduate student instructors, can support complex reasoning in chemistry. I will also describe how one educator transformed his teaching practice by building meaningful relationships with Alaska Native community members and his students.