Welcome to the STEM Teaching and Learning Lab!
The STEM Teaching and Learning Lab at the University of California, Riverside's School of Education is co-directed by Dr. Kinnari Atit and Dr. Catherine Lussier. Our research lies at the intersection of education and psychology, with the overarching goal of understanding how students learn and identifying ways to improve teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematicise (STEM)
Our Mission
Our Research examines the cognitive and instructional factors that shape students' learning experiences and academic outcomes. We investigate how students develop and apply cognitive skills, such as spatial thinking and memory, to understand complex STEM concepts, and how instructional practices can support these learning processes. By connecting research on cognition and learning with educational practice, we aim to inform the development of effective, evidence-based, instructional practices that support students across diverse educational backgrounds and learning environments.
Recent News
August 2026: NSF Awards nearly $600,000 to improve undergraduate STEM teaching
Drs. Catherine Lussier and Kinnari Atit received funding from the National Science Foundation to investigate how embodied learning approaches can support undergraduate students' understanding of challenging concepts in introductory STEM courses.
Read more about the project → https://insideucr.ucr.edu/awards/2026/08/18/nsf-grants-nearly-600000-improve-stem-teaching-0
