Recombinant Teaching: STEM Education Office Hours with Dr. Justin Shaffer

STEM Course Design Series: Choosing Course Materials 01.07.2026 18min

How do you pick course materials that are worth it for you and your students? In this episode of the STEM Course Design Series, Justin gives his advice and thoughts on this question through discussing the pros and cons of paid vs OER materials, how to use rubrics to choose a textbook and courseware, and what to think about with adopting AI tools for your courses.Check out the textbook and courseware adoption rubrics here.Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Check out Justin's book on High Structure Course Design to learn more about backward design and LOs.Check out Justin's card decks to help with course design and student learning.Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

STEM Course Design Series: Summative Assessment 24.06.2026 21min

In this episode of the STEM Course Design Series, Justin goes over the big picture of summative assessment design and how to make sure they are aligned to your learning objectives. Justin also discusses a few types of assessments including traditional quizzes and exams, group quizzes, and how to make your assessments authentic and gives examples of how he uses them in his STEM courses.Here is a resource for more info on assessment from the UVA Teaching Hub.Here is a resource on authentic assessment from the University of Indiana.Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Check out Justin's book on High Structure Course Design to learn more about backward design and LOs.Check out Justin's card decks to help with course design and student learning.Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

STEM Course Design Series: Backward Design and Learning Objectives 17.06.2026 19min

As we continue on in the STEM Course Design Series, in this episode Justin gives an overview of the critical importance of starting your course design experience with learning objectives and backward design. Justin also discusses how to write SMART learning objectives, how to scale them up and down Bloom's taxonomy, the importance of both content- and skills-based LOs, and how to unpack LOs.Here is a resource on writing SMART LOs.Here is resource for different verbs to use for writing LOs based on Bloom's Taxonomy.Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Check out Justin's book on High Structure Course Design to learn more about backward design and LOs.Check out Justin's card decks to help with course design and student learning.Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

STEM Course Design Series: Overview 10.06.2026 17min

In this episode Justin walks you through the basics of high structure course design, what it is, where it came from, and how to start thinking about designing or re-designing your own courses. This episode will serve as a foundation for future episodes in the series.Check out Justin's book on High Structure Course DesignCheck out Justin's card decks to help with course design and student learningHere is a link to some free resources on high structure at the UVA Teaching HubHere is the "original" structure paper by Scott Freeman and Mary Pat WenderothAnd another great one by Scott and Mary PatWant to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

STEM Course Design Series: Intro 05.06.2026 6min

This is an introduction to the forthcoming summer STEM course design podcast series! Listen in over the next two months to learn all about STEM course design and how to give your courses a strong foundation so that your students can have an outstanding experience.Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

How do I get my students to care about the topics in my class? 20.05.2026 15min

Taylor Darwin joins the show to talk with Justin about how to engage your students in the classroom – not necessarily about what to do in a typical 50 minute class, but rather how to engage them in the subject matter writ large (especially if it is a mandatory class that they have little interest in).Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Learn more about expectancy value theory here.Check out this paper on how utility value can improve student outcomes in introductory biology.Dr. Taylor Darwin is a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics at Tarleton State University and an experienced mathematics educator whose work spans secondary, two-year, and four-year institutional contexts. Her professional background integrates teaching, research, and large-scale institutional change aimed at improving student access and success in mathematics.Dr. Darwin’s research centers on improving mathematics learning experiences for rural and underserved populations, designing and evaluating corequisite models, and supporting systemic reform in developmental education. She also explores emerging areas in mathematics education, including the use of artificial intelligence to support personalized learning and faculty professional development, as well as collaborative university–school partnerships that elevate teacher leadership and context-responsive instructional design. Her research agenda is informed in part by her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Southern California, where she deepened her expertise in learning sciences and technology-enhanced education. Across her previous roles and in her teaching experience, Dr. Darwin has focused on designing active learning environments and supporting faculty in shifting from traditional lecture-based instruction toward more student-centered, interactive approaches. Her work has contributed to multiple grant-funded initiatives focused on STEM access, equity, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

What is the best way to form student groups? 13.05.2026 14min

Justin is joined by SPECIAL GUEST HOST Kelsey Metzger Metzbertsel to answer an age-old question about the best way to form student groups! Justin was sure glad to have Kelsey as a group partner to work through this toughie!Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Kelsey Metzger – Dr. KJAM to her students – is a professor in the Center for Learning Innovation and the director of faculty development at the University of Minnesota Rochester where she was a founding faculty member. Across her efforts in research, teaching, and service, Kelsey’s core value is using evidence to advance knowledge and practice in support of equitable and inclusive student learning, development, and wellbeing.Learn more about the CATME grouping tool here.Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

My students are resistant to active learning! 06.05.2026 13min

Justin is joined by Lauren Stoczynski to discuss the age-old question of how to handle student resistance when it comes to active learning and structured course design. While a tough nut to crack, I guarantee you won't face any resistance with enjoying this episode! :)Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Lauren Stoczynski is an assistant professor of biological and environmental sciences at Le Moyne College. Learn more about Lauren on her LinkedIn page.Check out Episode 4 for an overview of high structure course design.I have lots of papers on the literature page of my website about student resistance and other barriers to using active learning and evidence-based course design.Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

How can we support students in service and community learning? 29.04.2026 15min

Brian Shmaefsky joins to show to share how he engages his students through community work and asks Justin how to do this in a way to match students interests and motivations. Listen in for some great examples of community-based learning that Brian is doing!Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Brian Shmaefsky is an environmental scientist who’s spent more over 30 years making complex STEM topics accessible, relevant, and engaging for diverse student communities. His work bridges classroom teaching, public outreach, and environmental justice, with a focus on helping learners see how science directly connects to their lives and communities. Learn more about Brian on his LinkedIn page.Learn about the great community-based work that Lisa Corwin is doing at the University of Colorado.Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

How can courses be designed to support neurodivergent learners? 22.04.2026 13min

Justin is joined by Christin Monroe to discuss how courses can be designed best to support neurodivergent learners. This is not Justin's area of expertise, so it was a good challenge to think through this idea together with Christin!Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Dr. Christin Monroe holds a PhD in Chemistry from Princeton University and is an Educational Research Associate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning. Her work is grounded in education research and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), with a focus on partnering with faculty to use evidence-based, data-informed approaches to examine and improve teaching and learning. Learn more about Christin on her LinkedIn page.Check out this infographic on neurodiversity from Landmark College.A great article from Northern Illinois University about teaching for neurodiverse learners.Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

How can structure help everyone thrive in college STEM courses? 15.04.2026 15min

Jessamyn Neuhaus joins the show to ask Justin how adding structure to college STEM courses can help everyone, students and faculty alike, do better and feel like they belong. Lots of great tips and advice in this one!Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Jessamyn Neuhaus is Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning and Professor of Education at Syracuse University. Jessamyn holds an PhD in history and has over twenty years of college classroom teaching experience. She is the author, most recently of Snafu Edu: Teaching and Learning When Things Go Wrong in the College Classroom (University of Oklahoma Press); editor of Picture a Professor: Interrupting Biases about Faculty and Increasing Student Learning; and author of Geeky Pedagogy: A Guide for Intellectuals, Introverts, and Nerds Who Want to Be Effective Teachers (West Virginia University Press).Check out all that Jessamyn is up to at her website and on her LinkedIn.Check out Episode 4 of this podcast for Justin's overview of high structure course design.Read Mike Wilton's paper showing that belonging improves when adding structure to intro bio.Check out Inclusive Teaching by Kelly Hogan and Viji Sathay.Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

How do you help faculty who can't/won't use active learning? 08.04.2026 12min

Justin is joined by Kate Ireton Walker to answer Kate's question of how to approach faculty who are reluctant to using active learning in their courses.Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Kate Ireton Walker is a Biology Instructor at the University of Arkansas. Her teaching philosophy centers on innovative, student-centered learning strategies that advance science education initiatives aligned with AAAS Vision and Change. She mentors faculty across disciplines to integrate best practices in cross-curricular teaching. Her research investigates science communication. Currently this includes examining how students from diverse academic backgrounds articulate and internalize complex scientific concepts. You can find her on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/kate-ireton-walker Check out Episode 2 of this podcast for Justin's discussion with Carter Moulton on how to use active learning in large classes.Here is a link to the paper Justin referenced on barriers to using EBIPs for community college biology faculty.Here is another paper on the "tyranny of content coverage" and how to overcome it to use EBIPs in your courses.Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

STEM or STEAM? Does the "A" belong? 01.04.2026 12min

Justin is joined by Jane Harrington to figure out how the "A" (ART!) fits into STEM education.Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Jane Harrington, PhD, is a former microbiology professor and founder of MedMicroMaps, a company that provides XR gaming for STEAM experiences.https://www.linkedin.com/in/medmicromaps/https://www.medmicromaps.comLearn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

How do I know if things in class are actually working? 25.03.2026 11min

Justin is joined by Eleanor Sayre to discuss how to tell whether something you do in class is working (or not). This is a nice short intro to SoTL and DBER!Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Dr. Eleanor Sayre (zaposa.com) is a physicist and learning scientist. She helps university faculty get started in education research and the scholarship of teaching and learning, including 1:1 consults as well as intensive interactive workshops. She wrote Research: A Practical Handbook for you.Check out Justin's book as the last chapter is a primer for getting started in DBER.Read the paper on the the transition of faculty into scholarly teaching that was discussed on the show.Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

How do I teach STEM students AND business students in the same class? 18.03.2026 13min

Justin is joined by Pankaj Mehrotra to figure out how to teach both health sciences and business students about biotechnology - in the same class!Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Pankaj Mehrotra is an instructor at the University of the People in Pasadena, CA. Check out Pankaj's publication on his biotechnology course here.Check out CourseSource where you can publish peer-reviewed curricula and teaching activities.Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

What are the foundational skills students need to succeed? 11.03.2026 11min

Justin is joined by Colleen Kelley to discuss the importance of foundational skills that lead to student success. What skill do you think they focus on? Hint: you just used that skill as you are perusing these show notes!Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Colleen Kelley, PhD, is a retired chemistry professor and current elementary school science teacher. You can learn more about her and her efforts to improve chemistry education for all ages at the links below.Kids Chemical SolutionsColleen's LinkedInColleen's TEDx talkCheck out Justin's reading guides and other free teaching materials on his website.Read the paper on the development of the TOSLS and Justin's paper showing that reading comprehension is the number one predictor of TOSLS scores.Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

How can I use high structure in an exercise physiology course? [International edition!] 04.03.2026 10min

Justin answers a question from a sports science faculty member in Portugal about how to apply evidence-based STEM education principles to an exercise physiology course.Want to be a part of the show?http://recombinanteducation.com/podcastOur question comes from João Paulo Brito at the Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior | Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Portugal.ORCiD - 0000-0003-4357-4269 | CIENCIAVITAE - 3315-6060-AF8CCheck out Justin's templates and other free teaching materials on his website.https://www.recombinanteducation.com/materials/Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

My students don't come to class prepared! 25.02.2026 9min

Justin answers a question from a biology faculty member about getting their students to prepare ahead of time for a flipped classroom. Could it be that the word "flipped" is contributing to the issue?Want to be a part of the show?http://recombinanteducation.com/podcastOur question comes from Shaun Martins who is a biology professor at Cabrillo College in California.https://www.linkedin.com/in/drshaunmartins/Check out Justin's reading guides and other free teaching materials on his website.https://www.recombinanteducation.com/materials/Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

How can I use active learning in large classes? 15.02.2026 10min

Carter Moulton joins the show and Justin answers the question about how to help faculty use active learning in large classes. TLDR - yes, you can!! :)Want to be a part of the show?http://recombinanteducation.com/podcastCarter Moulton is a faculty developer at the Colorado School of Mines and the creator of the Analog Inspiration card deck.https://www.analoginspiration.ai/Listen to Carter on the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast and read him on Inside Higher EdLink to Justin's interview with Amanda Irvin discussing active learning in large classes on the Dead Ideas in Teaching podcast.https://podcast.show/dead-ideas/episode/148741887/See Justin in action with active learning in his 440 student intro bio course at UC Irvine (back in the day!).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdNSiUqB7tALink to the active learning resource REALISE at the University of Georgia.https://seercenter.uga.edu/realisevideos/Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

What to do about genAI? Ah! 12.02.2026 10min

Justin tackles a question about how to handle genAI with take-home assignments.Want to be a part of the show?http://recombinanteducation.com/podcastLearn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com