
Research and Instruction
in STEM Education at UNCG
The RISE Network is a coalition of educators and researchers involved in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education.
The network provides access to STEM funding and research opportunities, promotes working partnerships, offers a monthly lunch series, and sponsors special events such as workshops and guest speakers. Network members include UNCG faculty and researchers, community educators, and grant specialists.
The impetus for the network came from a national push to improve STEM education as well as the work of UNCG’s Math-Science Recruitment and Retention Task Force. The task force identified a need at UNCG for better coordination between math and science educators and researchers and increased confidence levels in teaching critical thinking skills and higher levels of math and science. To address these issues and strengthen UNCG’s position in STEM education, the RISE Network was created in 2010.

ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE IN
STEM RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
The goal of the RISE Network is to enhance and expand partnerships between research educators and science, mathematics, and technology educators at UNCG and in the community, by developing a network of interested partners to coordinate STEM education and research activities across campus.
What is Stem Education?
The acronym STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
According to the US National Research Council and the National Science Foundation, these fields are collectively considered core technological underpinnings of an advanced society. In many forums, the strength of the STEM work force is viewed as an indicator of a nation’s ability to sustain itself.
Maintaining a citizenry well versed in STEM fields has become a key item on the public education agenda. In his 2006 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush announced the American Competitiveness Initiative to address shortfalls in federal support of educational development at all academic levels in STEM fields. The initiative called for significant increases in federal funding for advanced R&D programs and an increase in higher education graduates within STEM disciplines.

SCIence EVERYWHERE
Young people and their families are exposed to new and interesting scientific ideas and principles and are able to interact directly with experts in many fields. The event features campus-wide displays, demonstrations, and family activities.
Recent News
- Fall 2023 Upcoming EventsSee Upcoming News and Events to stay up-to-date! OCTOBER 20, 2023 Steven Nils Ulosevich Speaker for 2023 Prof. Esther Ngumbi, Department of Entomology, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana “Harnessing soil microbiome to nourish the soil and provide food security for a growing population” Friday October 20, 2023 Room 101 Sullivan NOVEMBER 3, 2023 Dr. Adriana Martinez, Department
- Science Everywhere 2023Returning again this year is one of UNCG’s biggest STEM events and, Science Everywhere! After two years of virtual events, Science Everywhere will be returning to campus. As part of the North Carolina Science Festival, UNCG is excited to host a unique gathering of community members, professionals, and students.
- 2022-2023 EventsNovember 7: Networking Meeting- Updates on NSF and NIH Requirements November 16: Jennifer Raff “Communicating Science to a Diverse Audience” “Chronicling the genetic histories of the First Peoples of the Americas” /2021-2022 EVENTS FEBRUARY February 4: Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) conference February 21: RISE Speaker Series – Savannah Martin – Washington University in St. Louis February
Our Campus Friends

STAMPS
The STAMPS Program at UNCG offers scholarships for academically talented undergraduate students in the sciences.

UNCG Wetlands Project
The Wetlands Project promotes the construction of campus wetlands suitable for aesthetic, ecological, educational, and research purposes.

THE HERP PROJECT
Herpetology Education in Rural Places and Spaces Project supports educational, conservation, and field ecology experiences related to herpetology.