Justin Szabo

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

The Global Perspective Inventory (GPI)

The Global Perspective Inventory (GPI) is a web-based assessment of individual experiences and development of a global perspective. The GPI measures how students think, view themselves as people with cultural heritage, and relate to others from other cultures, backgrounds and values. Read More

Supervised Agricultural Education (SAE) for All

The Supervised Agricultural Education (SAE) for All program is a student-led, work-based experience supervised by an instructor. The program aims to develop resources and training for teachers to implement and enhance their SAE pedagogy. One objective of SAE for All is identifying gaps in teaching recordkeeping, financial literacy, and agricultural business basic skills. Additionally, SAE objectives include creating resources for agricultural teachers who supervise SAEs, host annual professional development workshops for those teachers in Iowa, and develop a SAE for All template for other states to implement the program themselves. Read More

Smart Integrated Farm Network for Rural Agricultural Communities (SIRAC)

RISE serves as the evaluator for the Smart Integrated Farm Network for Rural Agricultural Communities (SIRAC) project funded by NSF. The SIRAC project is a novel socio-technical platform that will create a smart and connected farm network. The SIRAC team is a multidisciplinary and multi-institutional Iowa State University, University of Kentucky, Missouri University of Science and Technology, University of Missouri Columbia, and the Iowa Soybean Association. Read More

ISU 4U Promise

RISE serves the evaluator for the ISU 4U Promise program. The ISU 4U Promise partnership between King Elementary School, Moulton Elementary School, and Iowa State University promotes college-going in students from these schools. Students who complete fifth grade at King or Moulton will be eligible for tuition awards at Iowa State University. Read More

Iowa STEM Monitoring Project

The Iowa STEM Monitoring Project (ISMP) is a multi-faceted and collaborative effort that works in support of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council. The purpose of the ISMP is to systematically observe a series of defined metrics and sources to examine changes regarding STEM education and economic development in Iowa centered on the activities of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council. Read More

Enhancing Conservation, Access, and Generational Transition of Iowa Farmland through Women Landowners

RISE participates in the Women in Ag grants team to develop informational feedback on educational programming. Evaluation work includes survey development and administration and focus groups. 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

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