Submitted & Pending Grants:
S-STEM: Scholarships to Empower Student Success in the Natural Sciences (S4) Program
Submitted to: NSF S-STEM
Submitted February 2024
Requested Budget: $1,789,360
PI Murielle Watzky, Co-PIs Susan Keenan and Victoria Duncan
Project Description: The Scholarships to Empower Student Success in the Natural Sciences (S4) Program provides scholarships to support low-income students in the Natural Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado. In conjunction with financial support, S4 provides opportunities designed to increase student sense of belonging, academic hope, and academic success.
Developing and Assessing GTA Professional Development and Mentoring to Support Complex Instruction as an Equity Solution to Address Disparities in Undergraduate STEM.
Submitted January 2024
Submitted to: NSF IUSE
Requested Budget: $400,000
PI Susan Keenan, Co-PIs Jodie Novak and Victoria Duncan
Project Description: The goal of this project is the design and implementation of a professional development (PD) program that empowers graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) to implement complex instruction (CI) in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) lectures and laboratories environments. As a pedagogical approach, CI has been shown to create and support equitable and inclusive collaborative group interactions in heterogeneous K-12 classroom environments, and its implementation in higher education is anticipated to address equity disparities for students who identify as women, students of color, and first-generation students in STEM. CI is predicated on creating and facilitating an equity-minded and constructive group environment as the group tackles a groupworthy question.
Funded Grants:
Rocky Mountain Alliance for Minority Participation: Summer Research Experience
Funded by the NSF Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation Award # 2207219:
Project Duration: 2022-2027
Funding Amount: $75,000
Sub Award PI: Susan Keenan
Project Description: To increase the number of students from groups marginalized by higher education by their race or ethnicity (African American, Hispanic, Native American, Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander) in Colorado who persist to baccalaureate degree completion in STEM disciplines, with the goal of increasing the number of students prepared to succeed in graduate education and contribute to a global and technologically driven workforce. Our subcontract focuses on providing paid summer research opportunities. Learn More
Improving Classroom Culture as a Pathway to STEM Inclusive Excellence: the Inclusive Excellence Teacher Scholar Program
Funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Inclusive Excellence (IE 1) Award #
Project Duration: 2017-2024
Funding Amount: $1,050,000
PI: Susan Keenan
Co-PIs: Lori Reinsvold and Jodie Novak.
Project Description: The Inclusive Excellence Teacher-Scholar Workshop (IETSW) program was developed to support Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) faculty to create inclusive and equitable (IE) spaces. The goals of the program included increasing faculty awareness, providing practice-based strategies, and supporting faculty as they make equity-minded changes in their classrooms to support students historically marginalized by higher education, including students of color, students who identify as LGBTQ+, and first-generation students. Learn More
Collaborative Research: Introducing High-School Students to Computational Thinking in Industrial Automation
Funded By NSF Division of Research on Learning (STEM+C) Award # 1842342
Project Duration: 2018-2023
Funding Amount: $846,594
PI: Jennifer Parrish
Project Description: The project will develop a series of Digital Invention Kits that will enable high school students to reconstruct working models of the digital counterparts of these inventions. For example, the Davenport Rotary Motor, patented in 1837, will be used as scaffolding for the development of a Stepper Motor Kit that incorporates a digital microcontroller. Students will thereby learn about the way in which the original analog electromechanical mechanisms led to the development of today's digital counterparts.
Courage to Excel Scholarship
Funded by Colorado Department of Higher Education, Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative
Project Duration: 2016-2018 Funding Amount: $112,000
Project Description: The Courage to Excel Scholarship program at UNC will address attrition at two important points: (1) from high school to college and (2) from enrollment in an undergraduate program to graduation. Students in the following programs will receive scholarships: LEAP students, McNair Scholars, and Honors students.
Learning through Engaged and Authentic Practices (LEAP)
Funded by Colorado Department of Higher Education, Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative
Project Duration: 2015-2017 Funding Amount: $150,000
- PI; Susan Keenan Ph.D.
- Co-PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: LEAP is designed to assist under-represented and under-resourced pre-health undergraduate students transition into and succeed during their first year of college. LEAP students are provided multiple opportunities including: participation in a summer bridge program, interaction with a peer and faculty mentor, a cohort-learning model, and interaction with health-care professional. With initiatives designed to enhance University access, provide strong advising and engage students in the classroom and through authentic research, the LEAP program provides academic and financial support to students in a manner that promotes their long-term success and persistence within their chosen major and, ultimately, as professionals within their field.
Eagle School District Math & Science Partnership (Eagle SD MSP)
Funded by Colorado Department of Education
Project Duration: 2015-2016 Funding Amount: $19,726
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: The mathematics faculty at UNC provide content, pedagogical workshops for K-8 mathematics teachers in order to develop mathematics lessons.
The UNC Flipped Classroom Academy: Propelling UNC to National Prominence in Higher Education Flipped Learning Excellence
Funded by Innovation@UNC Project
Project Duration: 2014 - 2016 Funding Amount: $291,024
- PI; Jerry Overmyer Ph.D.
- Co-PI; Nissa Yestness Ph.D.
Project Description: The purpose of the project is to create a community of professionals that will propel UNC to national prominence through effective on-campus implementation and assessment of flipped-learning strategies, and dissemination through a national conference highlighting UNC educators. The objectives of the project are to provide UNC faculty with opportunities to create robust and effective flipped learning environment.
Women in Geoscience
Project Duration: 2012-2016 Funding Amount: $429,075
- PI; Julie Sexton
- Co-PI; Kevin Pugh
- Co-PI; Eric Riggs (Texas A&M University)
- Researcher; Michael Phillips
- Researcher; Rhonda Parmley
Project Description: Recruitment and retention of women in geosciences: An investigation of individual and environmental factors
The goal of this study is to contribute to the knowledge needed to increase the proportion of women receiving undergraduate geoscience degrees from U.S. universities. The proportion of women earning undergraduate geoscience degrees has stagnated at approximately 40% for the past 6 years, while women constitute only about 20% of working geoscientists (NSF, 2009). The American Geological Institute (2009) reports that the 40% level may represent a ceiling for female geoscience graduates. Most other STEM fields are closer than the geosciences to achieving gender parity (NSF, 2009). Little empirical research has investigated why women major in geoscience or how women's choices differ from men's choices to select and persist in a geoscience degree (Holmes & O'Connell, 2004). We aim to fill this research gap by studying why some geoscience programs are more successful than others at recruiting and retaining a high percentage of female students. The following are our specific objectives:
Identify the characteristics of geoscience programs that affect recruitment and retention
of female students by affecting those students’ cognitive-personal factors
Discover if there are differences between the cognitive-personal factors of female
and male students in geoscience programs with above-average female graduation versus
students in geoscience programs with below-average female graduation
Identify differences in environmental factors between geoscience programs with above-average
female graduation versus programs with below-average female graduation
Produce a model of recruitment and retention for women in the geosciences
Generate recommendations about classroom and departmental characteristics that geoscience
departments can implement to recruit and retain female geosciences majors.
Mathematics and Science Teaching for English Learners (MAST-EL)
Funded by the U,S, Department of Higher Education
Project Duration: 2011-2016 Funding Amount: $1,827,246
- Executive Director Elizabeth Franklin Ph.D.
- Project Director Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
- Co-Project Director Jenni Harding Dekam Ed.D
- Co-Project Director Youngjin Song, Ph.D.
- Co-Project Director Teresa Higgins, Ph.D.
Project Description: The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) and its four consortia partner schools will conduct a five-year project for the National Professional Development Program through the US Department of Education. The goal of Mathematics and Science Teaching for English Learners (MAST-EL) is to prepare pre-service elementary teachers to deliver high-quality mathematics and science instruction to K-5 English learners (ELs) in Colorado schools. In order to do this we will:
Prepare and graduate a cohort of 30 MAST-EL Scholars (UNC Elementary Education and
English-as-a-Second Language dual endorsed majors) to effectively teach mathematics
and science to K-5 ELs and support them through their first year of teaching.
Engage and mentor 32 MAST-EL classroom teachers in how to effectively teach mathematics
and science to ELs.
Develop long-term relationships with administrators and teachers at four partner schools
where exemplary mathematics and science teaching for ELs is modeled and researched.
Increase K-5 EL achievement in mathematics and science as a result of the implementation
of culturally and linguistically responsive teaching and assessment practices.
NOYCE Scholarship Program and Internship Program
Funded by National Science Foundation (NSF)
Project Duration: 2010-2016 Funding Amount: $1,198,930.13
- PI; Robert Reinsvold Ph.D.
- Co-PI; Dr. Valerie Middleton Ph.D.
- Co-PI & Program Coordinator; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
- Program Evaluator; Julie Sexton Ph.D.
Project Description: Highly qualified math and science teachers are in high demand. There are many opportunities for teaching positions. The Noyce Scholarship Program at UNC wants to provide UNC math or science teaching majors with up to $32,000 to complete their science or math teaching major and qualify for these jobs.
This scholarship is for talented UNC science and mathematics majors or science and mathematics professionals who would like to be secondary (grades 6-12) mathematics or science teachers. The grant will award 30 scholarships over five years. The scholarship program is intended for students who have completed their sophomore or junior year, are majoring in a science or mathematics field, enrolled in the secondary teacher education program (PTEP), and would like to pursue a teaching career in mathematics or science. Scholarships are also given to professionals who have completed their bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field, accepted in the UNC Post Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure Program in mathematics or science, and would like to pursue a teaching career in mathematics or science.
Northern Colorado STEM Collaboration
Funded by Colorado Department of Higher Education, ESEA, Improving Teacher Quality Grant
Project Duration: 2014-2015 Funding Amount: $176,757
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: The leadership team of Northern Colorado STEM Collaboration provided job-embedded professional development for in-service secondary mathematics and science instructors. The professional development focused on building instructors' skills to create standard-based, integrated-STEM lessons, knowledge of STEM learning progressions, ability to implement lesson studies, strategies for teaching in a culturally responsive manner, and knowledge and skills to conduct action research.
Colorado STEM Teacher Preparation Collaboration
Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, a program of the Gill Foundation
Project Duration: 2014 Funding Amount: $5,000
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: This grant provided a one day, state-wide meeting for educators in universities & colleges, school districts, and non-profits involved in STEM teacher preparation.
Northern Colorado Mathematics Collaboration to Support Teacher Quality
Funded by Colorado Department of Higher Education
Project Duration: 2013 - 2014 Funding Amount: $161,228
- PI; Lori Reinsvold PhD.
- Program Coordinator; Jerry Overmyer Ph.D.
Project Description: The NCoMC-TQ Project brought together University of Northern Colorado’s mathematics faculty and staff, 13 school district partners (Brush School District, Platte Valley School District, Weld District RE 3J, and 10 other Centennial BOCES school district members), Centennial BOCES staff, and Colorado Legacy Foundation staff to provide a comprehensive secondary mathematics professional-development program to 30 teachers.
Eagle School District Math & Science Partnership (MSP)
Funded by Colorado Department of Higher Education
Project Duration: 2014 - 2015 Funding Amount: $18,240
- PI; Lori Reinsvold PhD.
Project Description: The mathematics staff at UNC provide content, pedagogical workshops for K-8 mathematics teachers in order to develop mathematics lessons.
Colorado STEM Teacher Preparation Collaboration
Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, a program of the Gill Foundation
Project Duration: 2013 Funding Amount: $5,000
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: This grant provided a one day, state-wide meeting for educators in universities & colleges, school districts, and non-profits involved in STEM teacher preparation.
Wiser PSI
Project Duration: 2012-2014 Funding Amount: $30,861.43
- PI; Steven Anderson Ph.D.
Tools and Technology for Rural Colorado Mathematics: Improving Teacher Quality Project
Funded by Colorado Department of Higher Education
Project Duration: 2012-2013 Funding Amount: $189,733
- PI; Jerry Overmyer Ph.D.
Project Description: The project networked 30 teachers from high-needs rural Colorado school districts with the University of Northern Colorado. The project provided a comprehensive professional development program for tools and technology for secondary mathematics teachers.
Adams 14 School District for Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP)
Funded by Colorado Department of Education
Project Duration: 2011-2014 Funding Amount: $135,500
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: Provides science and mathematics content and pedagogical professional development to middle school teachers.
Power and Questioning Strategies in Elementary Science Lessons
Funded by UNC MAST Institute
Project Duration: 2010 Funding Amount: $700
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: Funds for transcription for doctoral research
Mathematics and Science Teachers Partnership (MSP)
Funded by Colorado Department of Education
Project Duration: 2010 – 2011 Funding Amount: $52,488
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: Provided science and mathematics content and pedagogical professional development to middle school teachers.
NCAR Global Climate Change Research for Teachers Institute (RETI)
Funded by NASA
Project Duration: 2010-2013 Funding Amount: $409,903
Project Team:
- PI; Steven Anderson Ph.D.
- CO-PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D,
Project Description: In collaboration with NCAR, the project enhances STEM knowledge and pedagogical skills of twelve secondary level science teachers through coursework, research experiences, and planning of standards-based classroom modules that utilize NASA data to understand climate change and its impacts on society.
Targeted Partnership CSU
Project Duration: 2008-2014 Funding Amount: $608,247
- PI; William Hoyt Ph.D.
Northern Colorado Mathematics and Science Improving Teacher Quality Partnership
Funded by Colorado Department of Higher Education – Title II
Project Duration: 2008-2010 Funding Amount: $236,506
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: This grant provided content courses, mentoring, and assessment workshops to secondary mathematics and science teachers in northeast Colorado.
Mathematics and Science Teachers Partnership (MSP)
Funded by Colorado Department of Education
Project Duration: 2007-2010 Funding Amount: $166,674
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: Provided science and mathematics content and pedagogical professional development to middle school teachers.
Elementary School Cooperative on Math, Science, and Literacy: Greeley/Evans Area Teacher Training
Funded by Agilent Technology Foundation
Project Duration: 2007 Funding Amount: $10,000
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: Developed and provided science and mathematics professional development to elementary teachers.
e-Mentoring in Colorado – e-Mentoring for Science Student Success
Funded by National Science Teachers Association
Project Duration: 2007 Funding Amount: $55,800
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: Coordinated an on-line mentoring program in Colorado for first- through third-year secondary science teachers.
Elementary School Cooperative on Math, Science, and Literacy: Greeley/Evans Area Teacher Training
Funded by Intel Corporation
Project Duration: 2006 Funding Amount: $10,000
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: Developed and provided science and mathematics professional development to elementary teachers.
e-Mentoring in Colorado - e-Mentoring for Science Student Success, University of California - Santa Cruz, Mathematics and Science
Funded by National Science Foundation
Project Duration: 2006 Funding Amount: $51,874
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: Coordinated an on line mentoring program in Colorado for first- through third-year secondary science teachers.
Environmental Education and Outreach for Native Americans at the Shortgrass Steppe
Funded by NSF-LTER Supplement
Project Duration: 2004 Funding Amount: $68,708
Project Team:
- PI;
- Co-PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: Developed and provided challenge education and field-research experiences in the use of technology for teams of students and educators from three Native American Communities, which then returned to their schools with technology tools and skills to implement those strategies and processes into their science courses. Goal: to encourage and motivate Native American students to continue to take mathematics and science courses and consider careers in science.
Technology Support for Science Education
Funded by University of Northern Colorado’s Student Technology Fund
Project Duration: 2003 Funding Amount: $37,775
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: Developed and provided technology tools for UNC science and science-education courses, integrating technology in science teaching and learning.
COMSTEC
Funded by Colorado Partnership for Educational Renewal
Project Duration: 2002 - 2004 Funding Amount: $8,468
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: Provided Web services to the COMSTEC program.
Science Education Technology
funded by IBM.
Project Duration: 2002 Funding Amount: $41,000
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: Provided laptops for science and science education courses at UNC.
Tech Tools for Administrators
Funded by Fund for Colorado’s Future.
Project Duration: 2001 - 2002 Funding Amount: $38,810
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: Developed and provided face-to-face technology skill workshops and on-line technology integration courses for Colorado principals and superintendents.
Widening Our World (WOW)
funded by U S WEST Foundation (QWEST).
Project Duration: 1996 - 2000 Funding Amount: $5,000,000
- PI; Lori Reinsvold Ph.D.
Project Description: Developed and provided technology classes to educators, business people, and non-profit organizations on how to use the Internet. Classes delivered in Colorado and other states representing U S WEST service area.
