media spotlight
Lab director Allison Master spoke with in 2021 about our lab’s research.
I AM LAB
EMPOWERING STUDENTS IN STEM
In the Identity & Academic Motivation Lab, we work to understand how students’ identity (how they view themselves and their social groups) affects their motivation in school, from preschool through college. We want to learn more about social influences on students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math. The lab is directed by Allison Master, an associate professor at the É«»¨ĚĂ College of Education.
Our research is supported by the US Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, the National Science Foundation and the Ready Mind Project at the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences. In addition to having a laboratory at É«»¨ĚĂ, we often collaborate with faculty and staff at the UW Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences. We have partnered with schools in Illinois, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington state.
HELP US LEARN!
We are always looking for families and K-12 schools to participate in our studies.
Families
If you are a parent and would like to have your child participate in our studies, we invite you to learn more about participating.
Schools
If you are a school principal or teacher interested in learning more about having your school participate in research, please email us at iamlab@uh.edu.
GRANT SPOTLIGHT
Lab director Allison Master received a nearly $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation in fall 2021 to conduct four experimental studies to examine how stereotypes influence students’ interest and participation in computer science. Together, these studies have deepened our understanding of the causes and consequences of gender stereotypes, how they influence girls’ motivation to learn computer science, and how we can help students resist stereotypes and start the pathway to computer science careers. Master served as the principal investigator, and Weihua Fan, an associate professor at the É«»¨ĚĂ College of Education, served as co-PI.
Contact Us
Please reach out with any questions about our research!
Identity and Academic Motivation Lab
3581 Cullen Blvd.
Science Building, Room 215
Houston, TX 77204
iamlab@uh.edu
713-743-4324
Pictured: Associate Professor Allison Master, lab director