New USC STEM Center expanding access and opportunity in science and technology

USC Rossier launches the new USC STEM Center aimed at offering access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education while strengthening the connection between research, policy and classroom practice.

Led by founding co-directors Kendrick Davis and Yasemin Copur-Gencturk, the center brings together expertise across education, workforce development and policy to address inequities in STEM learning and career pathways.

Why now?

“STEM helps us solve the problems that are impacting our lives,” said Copur-Gencturk. “It drives innovation and helps us create a better world.” But despite its importance, both co-directors say current approaches to STEM education are falling short. “We need to find more effective ways to improve STEM education,” Copur-Gencturk said, pointing to persistent gaps in outcomes despite years of reform efforts. Davis echoed that urgency. “The data are clear that we’ve not done all we can do, and there’s still work to be done,” he said. Together, they see an opportunity to rethink how existing tools, partnerships and systems can be better aligned to expand access for both educators and students.

Addressing the STEM gap

The center is designed to bridge gaps across schools, districts, programs and classrooms—starting with a focus on teaching. While many educators have strong content knowledge, both co-directors emphasized that instructional practice and support remain critical. “The content may be strong, but the pedagogy may need work,” Davis said.

Copur-Gencturk’s research reinforces that point, particularly in mathematics education. “If teachers develop a deep understanding of how mathematical ideas progress across grade levels, they can better meet students where they are,” she said. “Even if students are behind, teachers can connect current lessons to core concepts and support their learning.”

Rather than treating STEM challenges as isolated issues, the center aims to serve as a “connector,” Davis described, linking learning goals with the professional development and resources educators need to succeed.

Tackling systemic barriers

STEM education continues to face systemic challenges, including unequal access to qualified teachers, disparities in resources and limited exposure to career pathways. Davis’ research identifies access to opportunity as one of the most significant barriers. “A key question is when students and families have the chance to learn about opportunities in STEM,” he said. Without that exposure, along with strong instruction and classroom support, students may struggle to see how their interests in math and science translate into future career paths.

Copur-Gencturk emphasized that equity is central to addressing those challenges. “I want to make sure that every child has an opportunity to excel in life,” she said. She also pointed to a deeper issue in how STEM ability is defined, particularly in mathematics. “Too often, being ‘good at math’ is reduced to following rules and procedures,” she said. “When students don’t grasp those immediately, they’re labeled as not capable.”

That narrow definition, she explained, overlooks essential skills such as reasoning, problem-solving and conceptual understanding—qualities that are critical for success in STEM. “When we ignore those strengths, we unintentionally push students away from STEM,” she said.

From research to real-world impact

The center’s work will focus on four core areas: research and evaluation; design and innovation; STEM teaching and learning; and partnership development. Unlike many STEM initiatives that emphasize after-school programming, the USC STEM Center is focused on improving what happens during the school day.

“Most efforts don’t address the source of the problem,” Copur-Gencturk said. “We believe that improving teaching and strengthening teacher capacity is key to improving student learning.”

Davis similarly emphasized the importance of shifting how students think about their futures. “We should be asking, ‘What impact do you want to make?’” he said. “Then we can help students build the skills they need to get there.”

Measuring success

In its early years, success for the center will be closely tied to its impact on students and classrooms. “If we see improvements in students’ attitudes toward STEM or their academic performance, that’s a success,” Copur-Gencturk said. She also pointed to changes in classroom instruction as a critical indicator. “If learning experiences begin to reflect deeper understanding and skill development, then we know our work is making a difference.”

Davis added that expanding access to opportunities, both in and out of the classroom, will also be a key measure of progress. By aligning research, policy and practice, the USC STEM Center aims to strengthen teaching, expand opportunity and ultimately create more equitable pathways into STEM for all students.