About Us
RBSEU is a collaborative program between the University of Alaska at Anchorage and Indiana University to develop and study the effectiveness of research-based science education (RBSE) curricula in astronomy for entry-level undergraduate courses. The goals of RBSE curricula are threefold:
- to teach that science is a process of discovery, not just a body of knowledge
- to increase positive attitudes towards science, and towards pursuing STEM careers, by giving students an opportunity to do authentic research
- to develop important skills such as critical thinking, teamwork and goal-driven work skills that are important in any career path.
The ultimate goal is to help instructors at other institutions, in astronomy and in other fields, to implement the developed curricula, and to develop their own RBSE curricula, either based upon their own research or from data archives such as the National Virtual Observatory.
RBSEU is funded through a CCLI grant from the National Science Foundation.