UROP Project

What’s Active Learning Got to Do With It?: The Perceived Relationship Between Active Learning and Belonging for Undergraduate Black Women in Calculus

Black women, belonging, mathematics, calculus, active learning

Research Mentor: Ms. Martyna Fay Smart, M.S Biomathematics , she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Teacher Education; Mathematics Education, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: mfsmart@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Education, Mathematics, Engineering, or any STEM/Social Science major
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6-8 hours, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:

• Day: Thursday, September 3
  Start Time: 12:00
  End Time: 3:00
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97366590440

Project Description

This research project/study investigates the claim that active learning is unbiased between underrepresented and represented groups of STEM students. Though research has quantitatively looked at the relationship between active learning and belonging for underrepresented STEM students, little research has been done examining the accuracy of this relationship for specific underrepresented groups, such as Black women. Throughout the year we will examine how Black women define active learning and belonging, and their perceived relationship between active learning and belonging in Calculus I.

Research Tasks: Over the course of the year, we will:
1. Review, summarize, and critique the literature on active learning, instructor care, and belonging in undergraduate mathematics under the lens of Black Feminist Thought.
2. Create a form of interest, informed by literature, that collects data from all students currently enrolled in Calculus I, or those who took Calculus I within the last academic calendar year
3. Assist with conducting one focus group interview

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: A research assistant is required to be:
- Ambitious
- Attentive
- Analytical
- Willing to learn new techniques

A research assistant is recommended to be able to:
- Read, analyze, and summarize literature/peer-reviewed articles
- Communicate and present data effectively
- Well versed in Microsoft Suite, Google Suites, or Notion

But most importantly, a research assistant should be willing to learn and believe they have the capacity to learn new things. Needed skills will be taught.