Date Approved

5-2026

Graduate Degree Type

Project

Degree Name

Education-Instruction and Curriculum: Secondary Education (M.Ed.)

Degree Program

College of Education

First Advisor

Sherie Klee

Academic Year

2025/2026

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to address the problem that many students lack the critical thinking and mathematical reasoning skills required to be successful in rigorous STEM courses like IB Physics. While students may perform well in mathematics courses, they often struggle to transfer those skills into physics contexts that require conceptual understanding and problem-solving. These challenges have been intensified by academic tracking in mathematics pathways, post-pandemic learning loss, and increased dependence on technology, which have reduced the opportunities for productive struggle in the classroom. As a result, students frequently enter IB Physics unprepared for the pace and rigor of the course, leading to low confidence as well as low retention in the class for continued learning experiences. This project aims to address this problem through the development of a guided curriculum that supports incoming IB Physics students in the preparation for the required curriculum. The main objectives are to improve the students’ mathematics skills in areas identified as pre-requisites for the IB Physics curriculum and begin the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills through pattern recognition and laboratory experiences. The curriculum is designed to strengthen academic readiness while also providing teachers the opportunity to assess student readiness early in the course, thus it is intended for implementation at the beginning of the IB Physics course. Success with this curriculum would lead to an increase in student confidence, persistence, and long-term success in STEM pathways or other workplaces.

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