The Center for Research and Innovation in STEM Teaching and Learning (CRISTAL) is an interdisciplinary university center chartered by the Provost to advance the university’s efforts to recruit, retain, and prepare the next generation of STEM researchers, educators, and industry professionals.

STEM is not just an acronym for content knowledge in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, but refers to a philosophy of teaching and learning leading to graduates with quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical skills relevant for the 21st century workforce.

The role of the Center is to:

• Provide coordination and support for STEM education related programs on campus,
• Connect projects on campus with partners in local and regional industries,
• Provide a point of contact between local and regional school districts and the University for K-12 STEM related initiatives,
• Connect projects with funding sources,
• Coordinate recruiting of local and regional students into STEM disciplines,
• Connect faculty with University resources for the reform of classroom instruction.

At the college level CRISTAL provides coordination and support for the many educational initiatives in STEM taking place at the University of Memphis, including:

• Class redesign centered around online, blended, and flipped instruction,
• Asynchronous and synchronous distance education,
• Technology integration via personal response systems, using SMS querying, mobile devices, and interactive whiteboards,
• Research experience for undergraduates,
• Mentoring and tutoring for STEM students,
• New licensure options for STEM teachers.

CRISTAL places a significant emphasis on fostering collaboration among Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Education faculty to provide:

• STEM engagement activities for middle and high school students,
• Professional development for K-12 teachers addressing
  • New Common Core State Standards,
  • Next Generation Science Standards,
  • Inquiry-,Problem-, and Project-Based Instruction,
  • Effective technology integration
• Use of distance learning to address teacher shortages in rural school districts,
• Use of university resources to enhance instruction (consultation, teaching fellows, tutoring, mentoring, etc.)

The West Tennessee STEM Collaboratory Hub places significant emphasis on fostering collaboration among Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Education faculty to provide professional development for preK-12 teachers in such areas as:

• Teaching to the new state math, science, and technology standards (K-5; 6-8; 9-12)
• Improving science instruction in the early grades (K-3)
• Effectively integrating lab experiences into instruction
• Inquiry-based and project-based instruction
• Effective technology integration
• Developing a computer science curriculum
• Integrating engineering into mathematics and science curricula
• Innovative strategies for recruiting students into higher level math and science courses
• Integrating math and science across the curriculum
• Use of computer-assisted instruction to close gaps and challenge high-level Students
• Preparing teachers to teach higher level math and science courses in Grades 9-12
• Creating dual-credit programs to encourage students to pursue STEM majors in college
• Use of distance learning to address teacher shortages in rural school districts
• Use of university resources to enhance instruction (consultation, teaching fellows, tutoring, mentoring, etc.)