Looking to join an inclusive organization focusing on pedagogical literature regarding students in STEM? Join the Natural Science Faculty Reading Group.

The Natural Science Faculty Reading Group is a faculty learning community focused on pedagogical literature regarding success and engagement of students in STEM fields, focusing particularly on issues related to inclusion. The idea is to read literature regarding both problems and potential solutions. The larger goal is to raise faculty awareness of these issues/solutions, and to do so in a research-based, data-driven manner, which appeals to scientists and mathematicians! Thanks to funding from the Center for Innovative Pedagogy (CIP), and Kenyon’s HHMI Inclusive Excellence Grant, meetings are accompanied by fantastic catered lunches.

To join the group, simply complete the Google form sent with the invitation prior to each session. Please direct questions to any of the current coordinators of the Natural Science Faculty Reading Group:

  • Karen Hicks, Professor of Biology
  • Katie Mauck, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
  • Sarah Petersen, Ashby Denoon Associate Professor of Neuroscience

Schedule for Fall 2024

The schedule and reading list for fall 2024 is as follows (the dates can be found on the Nat Sci Google calendar):

  • Wednesday, Sept. 25, noon - 1 p.m., Fischman 103: Vyas and Reid (2023) "What Moves the Needle on DFW Rates and Student Success in General Chemistry? A Quarter-Century Perspective." J. Chem. Educ. 100:1547–1556. doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.2c01121
  • Monday, Oct. 21, noon - 1 p.m., Fischman 103: York et. al. (2024) "An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Analysis of Factors Contributing to Students’ Perceptions of Inclusion in Introductory STEM Courses." CBE Life Sci Educ. 23(3):ar40. doi.org/10.1187/cbe.23-04-0055
  • Tuesday, Dec. 3, noon - 1 p.m., Fischman 103: Vincent-Ruiz et. al. (2024) "A Counterstory to Deficit Narratives of 'Underperformance' of Demographically Minoritized Students in General Chemistry." J. Chem. Educ. 101:2188-2202. doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c00610

Literature Archive

Visit the group's archive to view literature discussed in previous semesters.