Brief Training and Intensive Mentoring Guide Postdoctoral Scholars to Student-Centered Instruction

Area of Science:

• STEM Education
• Postdoctoral Training
• Pedagogical Development

Background:

• Postdoctoral scholars often lack formal teaching experience.
• Effective pedagogical training is crucial for academic careers.
• The Science Teaching Experience Program-Working in Science Education (STEP-WISE) was developed to address this gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of the STEP-WISE program in developing evidence-based teaching practices among postdoctoral scholars.
• To identify key program components contributing to its success.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative analysis of 20 class sessions using the Classroom Observation Protocol for Undergraduate STEM instruction.
• Qualitative study using a design-based research framework to identify program design elements.

Main Results:

• All participating postdoctoral scholars successfully implemented student-centered teaching strategies.
• Four key interconnected elements were identified: training sessions, mentor meetings, supported active learning, and post-session debriefing.

Conclusions:

• STEP-WISE is a sustainable and replicable model for training postdocs in effective undergraduate STEM teaching.
• Intensive mentoring and streamlined training enable early-career high-impact teaching development.