Katherine L. Wright, a senior research scholar in the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering, doctoral student Lindsey Wiggins and Sondra Miller, an associate professor of civil engineering, published significant research, funded by the National Science Foundation, in the Journal of College Science Teaching.
The article, “Becoming STEM Writers: A Low-Cost Intervention for Teaching Argumentation,” addresses critical needs in STEM education by introducing a cost-effective intervention aimed at enhancing college students’ abilities to construct scientific arguments. The study evaluates practical instructional strategies designed to improve argumentation skills, a cornerstone of effective communication and professional success in STEM disciplines.
“Our findings demonstrate that a brief, low-cost intervention can have a meaningful impact on students’ argumentation skills,” said Wright, lead author and co-principal investigator.
Co-author Wiggins emphasized, “This research provides practical solutions that educators can readily incorporate into existing curricula, significantly empowering students academically and professionally without placing substantial financial or time burdens on instructors or institutions.”
The study highlights measurable improvements in students’ confidence in STEM literacy and the sophistication of their verbal argumentation, offering actionable, scalable methods that address critical educational needs and foster equity and excellence in STEM education.
This publication is part of Boise State’s broader NSF-funded initiative designed to enhance STEM education through innovative, collaborative partnerships and targeted interventions.