Integrating Metacognitive Practices and Research to Ensure Student Success (IMPRESS)

What is IMPRESS?

Integrating Metacognitive Practices and Research to Ensure Student Success 

IMPRESS is an educational experience for RIT students that incorporates metacognition into the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies.

IMPRESS is part of the ACCESS Network.

The Focus on Metacognition

Metacognition is awareness of your own knowledge. It includes recognizing how you learn, self-assessing how well you have learned, and developing a coherent picture of what is learned. Some refer to it as “thinking about thinking.”

Goals

IMPRESS is designed for RIT students interested in thinking deeply about their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies. Metacognition includes recognizing how you learn, self-assessing how well you have learned, and developing a coherent picture of what is learned.

STEM Education
Improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education through research and metacognition.

Experimentation
Engage our participants in interesting science experiments that will enhance their metacognitive skills.

Exposure
Increase opportunities for RIT STEM students to support their peers in academics.

Programs and Initiatives

First Year Courses
All RIT students are required to take general education and writing courses. IMPRESS students have the opportunity to take special courses that encourage them to integrate all of their STEM courses.

ITDS-150
Credits 3
This course serves two purposes. One is to introduce students to metacognition, reflective practice and self-assessment. Students will explore how the continual assessment of one's own knowledge guides scientific progress in the development of both research and theoretical practice. The second is to apply metacognitive techniques to exploring scientific investigation from a combination of scientific, ethical and societal standpoints. Examples will be drawn from student interest, and may include topics such as: Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear disasters, genetically modified organisms, indoor air quality, invasive species, forensic science. Metacognitive issues such as learning theory, stereotype threat and self-assessment will be explored for their role in the acquisition of scientific knowledge.

Learning Assistant (LA) Program
Second year IMPRESS students are eligible for paid Learning Assistant positions in which they work with faculty mentors helping other students successfully learn in foundational STEM courses. Learn more about the Learning Assistant Program

Contact Us

Scott Franklin

Professor
585-475-2536