# Advancing and Sustaining Innovation in Science Teaching: Using a Collaborative Multidisciplinary Model to Transform Graduate Student Teaching

> **NSF 04002526DB NSF STEM Education** · University of Tennessee Knoxville (TN) · $399,209

## Abstract

This project aims to serve the national interest by developing and implementing a model professional development (PD) initiative for natural science graduate students that emphasizes the alignment of skills related to excellence in undergraduate instruction and scientific research. Graduate students are important instructors of undergraduate science courses, especially classes critical to the success of first-year students. For this Level 1 IUSE Institutional and Community Transformation project, the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) and Teaching and Learning Innovation (TLI) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) aim to create PD for first-year NSM graduate students focused on the synergy between teaching and research skills. This "holistic" PD will be based on UTK's institutional principles of excellence in teaching and will focus on skills that promote excellence in both research and teaching. Faculty and graduate students from each NSM department, along with the project PIs, will work as a collaborative multi-disciplinary team to create, implement, and assess the holistic PD. Assessment of the project will investigate the extent to which graduate students and undergraduate students are positively impacted, and the level of departmental support for the PD. The significance of this project is that it will advance national understanding of how to develop graduate student teaching and research skills in parallel, which could be a significant shift i

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2517856
- **Awardee organization:** University of Tennessee Knoxville (TN)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FN2YCS2YAUW3
- **PI:** Ferlin G McGaskey
- **Primary program:** 04002526DB NSF STEM Education
- **All programs:** UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION, Improv Undergrad STEM Ed(IUSE), GRADUATE INVOLVEMENT
- **Estimated total:** $399,209
- **Funds obligated:** $399,209
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2517856

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2517856, Advancing and Sustaining Innovation in Science Teaching: Using a Collaborative Multidisciplinary Model to Transform Graduate Student Teaching. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2517856. Licensed CC0.

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