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 Spring 2025

The schedule and reading list for spring 2025 is as follows (the dates can also be found on the Nat Sci Google calendar):

  • Tuesday, Jan. 28, 12 - 1 p.m. Fischman 103: 2024 Donato et. al. Specifications Grading Is an Effective Approach to Teaching Biochemistry (JMBE) journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jmbe.00236-22 (PDF)
  • Monday Feb. 10, 12 - 1 p.m. Fischman 103: 2024 Angell et. al. Metacognitive Exam Preparation Assignments in an Introductory Biology Course Improve Exam Scores for Lower ACT Students Compared with Assignments that Focus on Terms lifescied.org/doi/10.1187/cbe.22-10-0212 (PDF)
  • Wednesday April 2, 12 - 1 p.m. Fischman 103: 2024 Supriya et. al. Optional Exam Retakes Reduce Anxiety but may Exacerbate Score Disparities Between Students with Different Social Identities. lifescied.org/doi/10.1187/cbe.21-11-0320 (PDF)

Literature Archive

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