Past Projects

CBiRC Research Experiences for Teachers (RET)

Brandi Geisinger and Mari Kemis, in collaboration with Karri Haen, are leading the evaluation of the NSF Center for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC) Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program at Iowa State University. The evaluation was informed by the literature on the constructivist sociocultural professional development model, evidence of inadequate science teacher preparation, and evidence of best practices for science teacher preparation. Read More

Achieving Maximum Potential (AMP) Program

The Research Institute for Studies in Education was hired by Youth and Shelter Services, Inc. (YSS) to conduct an assessment of the AMP program. The Program & Activity Assessment Tool (PAAT) is used to measure how much and how well the program provides its members a learning experience that promotes positive youth development. Read More

Cases for Teaching Responsible Communication of Science

RISE conducts the evaluation focusing in student pre and post responses of their understanding of ethical issue in science communication and instructor ratings of usefulness of the case study approach. Read More

Undergraduate Research Programs

RISE conducts the evaluations of a number of undergraduate research programs, including NSF-sponsored REU programs, on an annual basis with the goal of evaluating student learning, program satisfaction, and challenges encountered in the program. Read More

Touch Terrain: Using 3-D printed terrain models to improve spatial thinking in the geosciences

ISU faculty members Chris Harding, Aaron Wood, Jacqueline Reber, and Igor Beresnev received a Miller Grant from the ISU Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning to use 3D printed terrain models and develop and assess map-centric STA exercises for classes, labs, field trips and the ISU field camp in Wyoming. RISE will serve as the evaluator for the educational component of the grant. Read More

Developing Virtual Content for STEM Career and Technical Education

Eastern Iowa Community College (EICC) has partnered with RISE to evaluate the development and implementation of virtual training resources for automotive blower, instrumentation, and lighting systems, as well as for home HVAC systems. This web-based virtual training utilizes WebGL for the training platform. Read More

360° Feedback for K-12 Educators

RISE contracts with local, state, national, and international school districts to provide feedback on performance to teachers, administrators, and other school district personnel. Read More

Biological Materials and Processes (BioMaP) Research Experiences for Undergraduates

The BioMap REU is a summer research program in which undergraduate students become active members of interdisciplinary groups and work with faculty members, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students, and industry. Annual evaluation of the BioMaP REU program includes pre- and post-program surveys. The evaluation of the program has been informed by other studies of REU students and outcomes, as well as best practices for evaluation. Read More

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Senior Exit Surveys

RISE is collaborating with the Iowa State University Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering to evaluate the undergraduate program by asking graduating seniors to respond to exit surveys. Read More