Mark McDermott, of the Department of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education, received a No Child Left Behind Title IIA Grant.

McDermott is a clinical associate professor in Science Education and STEM Coordinator. His project, Improving Student Science Learning through the Argument-Based Strategies and STEM Infused Science Teaching (ASSIST) Teaching Approach, was reviewed by the Title IIA Review Panel.

ASSIST is a new partnership between the University of Iowa, Cornell College, Area Education Agency 267, the Waterloo, North Tama, and Mount Vernon Community School Districts, St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Waverly, and the Cedar Valley Catholic System.

This project will deliver professional development in STEM to 40 teachers in districts with an identified need to improve STEM teaching and help teachers implement argument-based teaching practices. The professional development program will be enhanced through purposeful infusion of mathematical practices, technology, and application of knowledge through engineering challenges. To sustain use of these practices, a collaborative online network of teachers will be established allowing for sharing of resources and facilitating cross-district engagement.