Teaching philosophy

I’m committed to training the next generation of ecologists and conservation biologists so that they can not only be successful as scientists, but also so they can become advocators for change and committed to social responsibility. By using high-impact practices that give students authentic hands-on experiences, students can become intelligent, independent thinkers that can effectively communicate science both within and outside the scientific fields. To accomplish this, I focus on:

1. Inquiry-driven teaching practices to provide students with real-world experience
2. Effective science communication
3. Active and collaborative learning to provide students opportunities to practice applying concepts using real-world scientific applications

Grant-funded stem education programs

MAPS (Mentoring, Access and Platforms in STEM) Program

The MAPS Program integrates co-curricular (research opportunities, internships, mentorship, entrepreneurial activities, and student services), curricular (new and redesigned coursework with focus on career preparation and entrepreneurialism, course and curriculum articulations, and support courses with increased access), and programmatic (wrap around services, mental health and wellness referrals, professional development, and internship and workplace training) activities. 
 
The primary goals of the MAPS program are to: 

1. Increase the number of Hispanic and low-income students attaining degrees in STEM and develop a model transfer and articulation agreements between two- and four-year Hispanic-serving Institutions;
2. Improve collaboration between our consortium and employers in southern Colorado;
3. Provide work-based learning experiences;
4. Enhance tutoring, counseling, and student service programs; and
5. Integrate wrap-around student support services.

For more information about the MAPS Program, contact Dr. Elizabeth Peterson (MAPS Program Director) at elizabeth.peterson@csupueblo.edu

CUATRO Program

Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Project CUATRO (Creating Connected College research Communities) is a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education program for Biology undergraduate students funded by the National Science Foundation. Project CUATRO will build a robust undergraduate research environment built on a mentoring cascade, create transfer agreements between CSU-Pueblo and Central Community College, institutionalize a marketing campaign, and host workshops and training for faculty (faculty from CSU-Pueblo, Central Community College, and local high schools).
 
Project CUATRO’s goals are to:

1. Integrate curricular, co-curricular, and programmatic activities;
2. Enhance quality of STEM education;
3. Increase recruitment, retention, and graduation rates for STEM students;
4. Use undergraduate research as a pathway and catalyst to increase number of STEM students;
5. Create triad partnerships between CSU-Pueblo, Central Community College, and local high schools; and
6. Leverage relationships around shared research projects.

 
For more information about the CUATRO Program, contact Dr. Elizabeth Peterson (CUATRO Research Faculty) at elizabeth.peterson@csupueblo.edu
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CBASE (Communities to Build Active STEM Engagement) Program
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​CBASE is a STEM Education program funded by a Title III Department of Education Grant funded to Colorado State University-Pueblo. The CBASE Program integrates curricular, co-curricular (i.e. undergraduate research and mentorship), and programmatic (i.e. professional development) support to increase retention and graduation rates of underrepresented groups in STEM. As the postdoctoral researcher for the Biology Research Community of the CBASE Program (2017-2021), Dr. Peterson managed an all-inclusive and collaborative research community of faculty and students, as well as mentored undergraduate students in research and professional development. In its third year, the CBASE Program supported 82 students with a graduation and persistence rate of 99%. Of those students, all of our graduating CBASE Biology seniors moved onto careers in medicine, research, environmental consulting, or industry.  
 
Website: https://www.csupueblo.edu/communities-to-build-active-stem-engagement/index.html 

stem education publications

Peer-Reviewed STEM Education Publications

1. Bickford N, Peterson EK, Jensen PA, Thomas DA. (2020) Undergraduates who are merely interested in research are better students than their peers. Education Sciences, 10(6): 150. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10060150
2. Peterson EK, Carrico P. (2015) Laboratory exercise in behavioral genetics using team-based learning. Journal of College Biology Teaching, 41(2): 33-40. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1086540

Editor-Reviewed Book Chapters

1. ​Seymour B, Peterson EK, Chock RY. (2021) Conservation behavior: The effects of light pollution on insects. Exploring Animal Behavior in Laboratory and Field. Eds. Zimbler-DeLorenzo H, Margulis SW, 2nd edition, Elsevier Academic Press, San Diego CA.

Science Publications for the General Public

1. Peterson EK. (2013) Using grazing for management of invasive plants: an interview with conservation biologists Dr. Gary Kleppel and Caroline Girard-Cartier, M.S. The Conservation Behaviorist, 11(2): 5-6. 
2. Peterson EK. (2013) Hybridization within canine species: the problem and its implications for conservation behavior research. The Conservation Behaviorist, 11(1): 6. 
3. Peterson EK. (2012) Orangutans and Palm Oil. The Conservation Behaviorist, 10(2): 5.

courses taught

​CSU-Pueblo, Instructor of Record
College Biology I, lecture (fall 2017, spring 2018/2019) 
Special Topics in Scientific Literacy and Writing, lecture (spring/fall 2019)
Special Topics in Research and Experimental Design, lecture (spring 2020) 

SUNY-Albany, Instructor of Record
Animal Behavior, lecture (spring 2017)
Animal Behavior, laboratory (summer 2014)
Animal Behavior, lecture, and laboratory (summer 2010/2011)

SUNY-Albany, Teaching Assistant
Behavioral Genetics, laboratory (spring 2014) 
Introduction to Biological Investigations I, laboratory (fall 2013/2015) 
Introduction to Biological Investigations II, laboratory (spring 2016)
Neurophysiology, laboratory (spring 2012)
General Biology I, laboratory (fall 2008-2011)  
General Biology II, laboratory (spring 2009-2011)

STEM OUtreach

Denver March for Science 2018

STEM Outreach to High School STEM students at Colorado State University-Pueblo