Focus and Scope

Research Insight in Science Education (RISE) is dedicated to advancing science education through rigorous research and practical applications, specifically within the disciplinary domains of biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences (geology, meteorology, oceanography), astronomy, environmental science, and interdisciplinary STEM fields (e.g., bioinformatics, materials science). We invite contributions from researchers, teachers, psychometricians, curriculum designers, museum/lab educators, evaluators, policymakers, and edtech developers to address critical challenges in science education.

Focus

RISE focuses on evidence-based, actionable insights in science education within the following disciplinary domains:

• Biology: Teaching and learning in areas such as molecular biology, ecology, genetics, and physiology.

• Chemistry: Pedagogies for organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical chemistry education.

• Physics: Instructional strategies for mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and quantum physics.

• Earth Sciences: Education in geology, meteorology, oceanography, and related fields.

• Astronomy: Approaches to teaching cosmology, astrophysics, and observational astronomy.

• Environmental Science: Learning focused on sustainability, climate change, and environmental systems.

• Interdisciplinary STEM: Integration of fields like bioinformatics, materials science, and computational science in education.

Key Areas of Study

RISE emphasizes the following areas within science education:

• Curriculum Design and Instruction: Developing, implementing, and evaluating innovative science curricula, inquiry-based learning, teaching strategies, and hands-on or experiential interventions tailored to biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, astronomy, environmental science, or interdisciplinary STEM.

• Assessment and Measurement: Creating and validating assessment tools (e.g., tests, rubrics, surveys) to measure scientific knowledge, skills, attitudes, and equity in learning outcomes across specified science disciplines.

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Investigating access, cultural responsiveness, gender equity, and inclusion for underrepresented groups in science education, with a focus on biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, astronomy, environmental science, and STEM.

• Ethical Issues: Exploring ethical considerations in science teaching, such as responsible conduct of research, environmental justice, or addressing bias in STEM education within the specified disciplines.

• Professional Development: Designing and evaluating teacher training, mentorship, and professional learning communities to enhance pedagogy in biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, astronomy, environmental science, and STEM.

• Educational Policy and Systems: Analyzing and informing policies, standards, funding, and systemic reforms to improve teaching and learning in the specified science disciplines.

• EdTech and Innovation: Leveraging digital tools, virtual labs, simulations, gamification, AI-driven assessments, and emerging technologies to enhance learning in biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, astronomy, environmental science, and interdisciplinary STEM.

Scope

RISE publishes work that combines methodological rigor with practical utility, requiring an “Implications and Lessons Learned” section to translate findings into actionable guidance for educators, policymakers, or practitioners. We welcome:

• Research Articles: Empirical studies (experimental, quasi-experimental, qualitative, mixed-methods); instrument design/validation; evaluations of programs, curricula, or interventions in classrooms/labs within the specified science disciplines.

• Conceptual/Integrative Papers: Theoretical advancements, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, critiques, or frameworks addressing pedagogy, equity, or ethics in biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, astronomy, environmental science, or STEM education.

• Special Issues: Guest-edited collections focusing on timely or emerging topics in science education within the specified disciplines.

Commitment to Transparency

RISE promotes research integrity by encouraging authors to:

• Share instruments, data, code, and materials via open repositories when feasible.

• Report validity evidence, methodological limitations, and replicability.

• Consider registered reports or replication studies.

Our mission is to bridge rigorous inquiry with practical solutions to drive measurable improvements in science education, fostering equitable, effective, and innovative learning experiences across biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, astronomy, environmental science, and interdisciplinary STEM fields.