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AURA S-STEM Research Hub
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AURA S-STEM Research Hub

Advancing Understanding & Resilience Actions

Ever Possible.

How do we advance opportunity, resilience, and success for students in STEM?

The Advancing Understanding Resilience Action (AURA) S-STEM Research Hub is bringing together researchers, educators, and higher education personnel nationwide to understand what helps low-income students in engineering and computer science persist, thrive, and build successful careers.

Through research, professional networks, professional development, and practical resources, AURA is identifying the supports and conditions that help students build resilience, overcome barriers, and thrive in STEM.

When more students have the opportunity to succeed, everyone benefits- and the future of STEM grows stronger.

AURA’s 3 Pillars

Pillar 1: Research

Generating Knowledge

Grounded in the theoretical and conceptual foundations of self-determination theory, growth mindset theory, and professional identity development, our research team investigates how collegiate systems and S-STEM interventions foster whole-student resilience. By tracking data across multi-institutional cohorts in computer science and engineering, AURA generates foundational insights into the structural facilitators and barriers impacting low-income student persistence, academic success, and workforce entry

 

Key Initiatives: Longitudinal student data analysis and synthesis, AURA Resilience Framework development, and Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER) Fellowship development and launch.

Pillar 2: Network

Connecting People

Building strong collaborative networks is essential for solving complex educational challenges. Powered by the Project ECHO for Education model, the AURA Network connects S-STEM project teams and practitioners across the country in interactive Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). Through an “All Teach, All Learn” approach, partners collaboratively troubleshoot problems of practice, share evidence-based mentoring strategies, and build supportive peer networks.

Key Initiatives: Monthly Project ECHO problem-of-practices sessions, peer & mentor collaboration spaces, and national learning networks.

Pillar 3: Dissemination

Sharing for Impact

The power of research is amplified when put into action. Our Dissemination Pillar translates AURA’s research findings and network insights into practical, open-access tools for higher education practitioners and STEM Stakeholders. From actionable STEM Pathway Toolkits to national student voice campaigns, we equip educators and institutions with scalable resources designed to dismantle systemic barriers and promote student resilience in academic settings.

Key Initiatives: STEM Pathways Toolkits, Student Voice & Spotlight Campaigns, and open-access research-to-practice guides.

Meet the AURA S-STEM Research Hub Team

Meet the AURA Data Collaborators

News & Announcements

Thank you

 

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation award #2547111. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.