Center for Advancing Undergraduate Science Education
What We Do
CAUSE supports science faculty in reaching their goals for instruction. We work with faculty to design research-based instructional practices and provide support for conducting educational research. Our initiatives include instructional innovation grants, professional development workshops, and one-on-one support. CAUSE is dedicated to empowering instructional faculty and building innovative communities of practice that facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences.
CAUSE Research Nuggets
Research Nuggets is a conversation series in which CAUSE Associate Director for Educational Research, Dr. Mags Blackie, talks with colleagues about interesting developments in teaching and learning. If you are doing something in your class that others at Virginia Tech might benefit from hearing about, we would love to feature you in an upcoming conversation! Contact us at cause@vt.edu.
In this featured episode, Anne Vázquez, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at St. John's University, and Ashley McDonald, Professor of Chemistry at Cal Poly State University, discuss a seminar class in which students learn structured methods for reading scholarly articles. The professors have introduced the use of ChatGPT as an innovative way to assist students in their understanding of academic publications.
Working with CAUSE
Teaching Resources
Research Resources
News
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Article ItemTeaching is Caring , article
“At the heart of this effort is the acknowledgment that education is a science that can be improved through research and practice,” said Estrella Johnson, an associate professor of mathematics who directs the center.
Date: Oct 15, 2025 - -
Article ItemNew College of Science STEM education center awards instructional teaching grants , article
In an effort to encourage innovation in teaching methodologies, four projects were selected as grant recipients in the new awards from the Center for Advancing Undergraduate Science Education.
Date: Oct 07, 2024 - -
Article ItemCollege of Science to launch Center for Advancing Undergraduate Science Education , article
By integrating research and practice, the center aims to foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in undergraduate science and mathematics education.
Date: Mar 27, 2024 -
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