Willamette University

Willamette University seeks funds to incentivize a faculty peer-mentoring network to integrate interdisciplinary (ID) and numeracy elements into its science pedagogy and curriculum. Implementation of the iScience pedagogical framework will empower faculty participants to design and put into practice ID teaching and numeracy modules for use in their classrooms and laboratories, benefiting science and non-science students alike. The network will facilitate development of faculty, curriculum and science pedagogy, and enable the design of appropriate assessment strategies. Regional build-out of the iScience framework will occur through connections to participating colleagues at other campuses, as well as through an established regional faculty network currently undergoing transformation. The timing of this proposal coincides with the creation of Willamette’s new Quantitative Analysis and Design (QUAD) Center, the hiring of over 25 new faculty members, and transition to a 3-2 teaching load. This is an ideal time at Willamette, in this project’s development, and in the timeline of regional networking to introduce innovative, updated science pedagogy and curriculum to reflect modern science education standards.