Texas State prof lands grant to study how students learn math

Jennifer Czocher, assistant professor of mathematics at Texas State University, has been awarded a National Science Foundation grant to study how undergraduate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students learn mathematical modeling skills.

The five-year Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) grant was awarded by the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education Program of the Division of Undergraduate Education of NSF. The $950,000 grant will fund Czocher’s research project, “Scaffolding Strategies for Undergraduate Mathematical Modeling Skills.”

The CAREER program offers the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research.

Mathematical modeling and quantitative reasoning are key problem-solving skills.