Using Education Research to Help More Students Succeed in STEM

The Adapted Measure of Math Engagement project highlights the power of collaboration between educators, students, and researchers to conduct research that directly informs classroom practice. Traditional engagement measures often overlook the diverse ways in which students engage with math, challenging educators to assess engagement and support it effectively.

To address this challenge, we partnered with educators and students to develop practical math engagement measures that capture students’ experiences in and beyond the classroom. These measures help educators identify specific challenges, such as students who struggle to see math as relevant, and apply targeted strategies to strengthen engagement. By making research immediately useful, this partnership transforms theory into a practical resource for improving math learning.

Turning research into real classroom impact takes more than data and studies. Educators need practical tools that fit into daily instruction. Through the Innovation to Evidence Network, Child Trends partnered with Teach Plus to translate STEM research into instructional practice, empowering educators to implement research-based strategies in their classrooms.

To support this work, we developed resources that help educators explore, adapt, and implement these strategies through professional learning communities. These communities provide a space for educators to collaborate, share insights, and tailor strategies to their unique contexts. Research-based approaches such as the Jigsaw Classroom, Personalized Learning Plans, and Classroom Buddies offer clear methods to strengthen collaboration, elevate student voice, and enhance learning.

By embedding these strategies into professional learning communities, educators gain access to research-backed methods and the support needed to apply them effectively. When teachers use practical, adaptable strategies, they can better engage students and improve STEM learning.

Bridging research and practice requires systemwide change, not isolated efforts. Scaling and sustaining STEM education innovation depends on strategic alignment across all levels of the education system so that policies, practices, and goals work together to drive lasting improvement. Our technical assistance projects can help state and district leaders implement research-based STEM innovations that improve student learning by fostering coherence across classrooms, schools, and agencies.

State education agencies that set a clear vision, develop policies, and provide resources can ensure that districts and schools apply research-based strategies effectively. District-level leaders can align strategies with local needs, strengthen professional learning, and build schools’ capacity to implement and sustain these efforts. At the individual school level, research-to-practice experts can help educators integrate strategies into instruction, using data and feedback loops to refine and improve STEM teaching and learning.

Fostering alignment and collaboration across these levels builds a cohesive, research-informed system that drives lasting change. When education leaders prioritize systemic alignment, they strengthen STEM learning for students and lay the foundation for long-term progress.

Moving forward: Strengthening the research-practice connection

To create lasting improvements in STEM education, researchers and educators must collaborate more closely. Policymakers and funders must also recognize the importance of investing in translational research that helps bridge the gap between research studies and classroom realities. By building strong partnerships across research, practice, policy, and funding, we can create learning environments that actively engage and support more students in STEM.