Introduction to Teaching and Learning in STEM

Developing your teaching philosophy is an important step in strengthening your skills as an educator. This two-part workshop series uses reflective and interactive activities to introduce effective learning strategies, guide you in developing your approach to teaching, and support you in taking the first steps toward crafting your teaching philosophy. Participants will explore how people learn, identify effective teaching strategies, and engage with experienced educators in a roundtable discussion to gain insights into diverse teaching environments.

Dates & Time: June 3rd (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) and June 5th (11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)
Location: In person (On campus)
Intended Audience: STEM PhD and Postdoctoral Trainees
Lunch will be served.

Session Descriptions

Session 1: Understanding Effective STEM Learning

How do students learn science effectively? This session introduces key learning theories and encourages participants to reflect on their own learning experiences. Through guided discussions and interactive activities, attendees will identify and categorize effective learning strategies for both individual and group settings. The session concludes with an exercise to connect these insights to effective teaching practices. Participants will leave with a structured framework for evaluating learning strategies and an assignment to reflect on the value of science education.

Session 2: Developing Your STEM Teaching Philosophy

Teaching is a key component of many academic careers and developing an effective teaching philosophy is essential for success. This session introduces evidence-based teaching strategies and explores how they align with different instructional goals. Participants will integrate their learnings from discussion and activities to outline their teaching philosophy, leaving with a clear framework and additional resources to refine their statements.

During the roundtable conversation you will learn from teaching faculty in biological and physical sciences about effective practices in their fields and evolution of their teaching philosophy.

About the Instructor

Elaine Kushkowski

Elaine is a PhD Candidate in the Committee on Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cell Biology and the Lead Graduate Fellow at the Chicago Center for Teaching and Learning. Her research focuses on understanding how cell types arise during early development in vertebrates.

Elaine has taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate biology courses, including the Biological Sciences Division Teaching Assistant Training Course. In 2023, she received the Wayne C. Booth Prize for Excellence in Teaching for her work with undergraduates in the College. As Lead Fellow, Elaine strives to help graduate students across the university become confident, effective, and reflective educators.