STEM Accelerator

The STEM Accelerator is an interdisciplinary group of faculty who collaborate on programs, grants, and interventions to help the undergraduate students in the College of Science at Mason. Beginning in 2011, the Accelerator committed to work toward: 

1. Increasing the number of STEM majors,
2. Improving retention rates of STEM students,
3. Reducing the time to graduation,
4. Helping STEM graduates join the workforce or continue their education.

In 2021, we identified the following 5-year goals: 

• Contribute to the growing body of literature on STEM education ​ 
• Elevate the value of teaching in COS​ 
• Be recognized as educational role models and mentors to new faculty and GTAs in COS 
• Mentor MS and PhD students in STEM education and discipline-based education research​ 
• Advance pedagogical innovation, teaching assessment, and peer evaluation​ 

The Accelerator faculty have diverse backgrounds, expertise, and training. Their combined efforts contribute to support student learning outcomes and increase persistence in challenging STEM programs. 

• Professor Kelly Knight, College of Science Dean's Award for Excellence in AJEDI, December 5, 2022, Learn more
• Dr. Rebecca Jones, College of Science Dean's Impact Award, December 5, 2022, Learn more
• Professor Kelly Knight, University Teaching Excellence Award Winner, 2020, Learn more
• Dr. Ben Dreyfus, University Teaching Excellence Award Winner, 2020 Winner for General Education, Learn more
• Dr. Julia Nord, University Teaching Excellence Award Winner, 2017 Winner for General Education, Learn more

Current Awards

• Dr. Ben Dreyfus (Co-PI), NSF EAGER #2329874, Quantum Teaching and Learning in Elementary Classrooms, $299,769
• Dr. Ben Dreyfus (Co-PI), NSF Award #2044232, Cultivating Physics Identity and Belonging for Women in Physics, $299,001
• Dr. Tina Bell (PI) and Dr. Rebecca Jones (Co-PI), NSF Noyce #2050638, Supporting, Mentoring and Retaining New STEM Secondary Educators Through Major Transitions from Recruitment to Highly Effective Teacher, $1,199,552
• Dr. Tina Bell and Dr. Rebecca Jones, Strategic Investment Fund 2022 for STEM Bridge Camp, $179,400

Prior Awards

• Dr. Rebecca Jones (PI), NSF S-STEM #1564989, The RADSS Program (Rural and Diverse Student Scholars), March 28, 2016 - August 31, 2023, $643,925.00
• Dr. Mary Nelson (PI), NSF Noyce #1240031, Noyce in Northern Virginia, October 1, 2012 - June 30, 2021, $1,449,999

1. “Encouraging creative chemical communication via infographics”, Rebecca M. Jones, Poster Presentation, Gordon Research Conference, Visualization in Science and Education, Bates College, Lewiston, ME, July 17, 2023.
2. “The unexpected emotional cost of teaching chemistry in a pandemic”,  Rebecca M, Jones, Frontiers in Education, STEM Education Section, Vol. 8, March 16, 2023, doi: 10.3389/feduc.2023.1120385, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2023.1120385/full
3. “The Rural and Diverse Student Scholars Program: An Ecosystem of and for STEM students
   Rebecca M. Jones and Mary Emenike, Poster Presentation, Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Conference, Arlington, VA, October 24, 2022.

• Dr. Julia Nord
  • Gem Mineral, and Fossil Show, November 2023
• Dr. Kelly Knight
  • FOCUS Camp and FOCUS Academy
• Dr. Tina Bell
  • Women Leaders in STEM at Mason
  • NOYCE Program PI
• Dr. Rebecca M. Jones, 
  • Review Editor, Frontiers in Education, STEM Education
  • Learning Environments Group, College of Science representative to this university wide committee, meets monthly
  • President, Sigma Xi, George Mason University Chapter