Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) project in STEM Education Research at the University of Utah

Summer programs at the University of Utah are nationally competitive opportunities providing undergraduates with an intensive paid research experience!

Students who are matriculated in an undergraduate program in the US are encouraged to apply. This opportunity is open to undergraduates who are non-University of Utah students.

10-weeks: May 18- July 31, 2026

Project Title: Learning to Observe: Teachers Learning Through Scientific Observation in Field Geology

Scientific observation is a ubiquitous skill used by professional scientists across disciplines. Yet, K-12 instructional materials often treat scientific observation as a simple skill or a minor pedagogical challenge to be overcome, when, in fact, observation is both complex and necessary to rigorous scientific sensemaking. For secondary science teachers, challenges compound as they themselves are often emergent learners of this skill. Without a strong grounding in scientific observation, teachers then struggle to create learning experiences for their students that effectively develop this critical skill, leaving many students without foundational knowledge necessary to advance in science education.

To address this issue, this research aims to build knowledge about how secondary science teachers develop their observational skills in the disciplinary context of field geology. To achieve this goal, the project implemented two iterations of a year-long professional course for secondary science teachers that fore-fronted scientific observation of geologic processes in the field in 2023 and 2024.

Currently, the project team is enacting qualitative and quantitative analysis of video, audio, and written work collected over these two iterations. Analysis examines how teachers learn to observe in ways that relate to their 1) conceptual knowledge systems, 2) social interactions with peers and the course instructors, and 3) cultural contexts and backgrounds. Results will contribute to improved K-12 science instructional materials.

Apply by January 25, 2026
11:59 PM (Mountain Standard Time)

Questions? Feel free to contact Angie at the Office of Undergraduate Research at our@utah.edu. Encourage your students to drop-in or email to schedule an appointment to receive support on applying.