Science Education Research at GSLC

Teachers, you are a key part of creating quality materials that work in the real world. Please consider lending your voice as part of our research! Compensation is included.

Curriculum testing is an integral part of our work. Through research and evaluation, we explore both the effectiveness of our materials and how students learn. Our research includes quantitative and qualitative tools, such as pre/post testing, classroom observations, interviews, and student work. Teachers and students are our research partners. We’re looking for help during several different steps:

Assessment Validation: Help us test the test! This step is the foundation upon which all of our research is built. Students participate in “cognitive labs” where they read-aloud the assessment questions and explain their answers to us in an interview. This helps catch questions that are confusing, too hard, or too easy.

Pilot Testing: Take new materials out for a test drive and let us know what you and your students think. We revise based on your feedback, making our materials better for all to use.

Field Testing: Check the efficacy of the curriculum. This step assesses whether the materials support students in their conceptual understanding of the disciplinary ideas presented.

Current Opportunities:

Bioengineering Curriculum Module Field Study (Middle School)

Help us test an innovative middle school curriculum module that merges engineering design principles with life science standards. Students learn about sensory and motor systems and complete a scaffolded bioengineering challenge to design prosthetic hand models incorporating user-centered design. They also explore career connections through “Look into the Lab” videos of real bioengineers at work.

• $500 stipend for teachers
• Multimedia and hands-on activities, everyday classroom materials
• Approximately 8 hours of class time
• Test anywhere between October 20 – December 18, 2025

Apply Here

Your participation in these studies helps us gain insight into how students learn and connect with science. You’ll also contribute to the body of knowledge in the science education research field.