Amy Falk Smith (Research and Education Strategic Decision Analyst for the College of Engineering at UC Davis), Alberto Guzman- Alvarez (Statistical Analyst for the UC Davis iAMSTEM Hub) and Marco Molinaro (Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and UC Davis iAMSTEM Hub Director) were selected as the recipients of the SoTL Poster Award for their poster titled “Understanding the curve: Implications of norm-referenced grading in large introductory science courses”. Their study examined the effects of curving introductory chemistry grades at a large, four-year university using data from over 16,000 students enrolled between 2008 and 2013. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to model students’ chemistry course grades as function of individual- and class-level characteristics. Results indicate that students’ grades were associated not only with their own prior achievement, but also with the prior achievement of students in their class. Congratulations Amy, Alberto & Marco!

The award recipient was announced during the STLHE Award Ceremony at the annual STLHE conference held in Vancouver, BC this past June. The SoTL Poster Prize is sponsored by the STLHE.