The MAT Capstone Project is the culmination of the theories covered in courses throughout the summer, fall, and spring semesters. During their yearlong residency placement, MAT students at Brown University undertake a long-term inquiry project to delve into their initial teaching practices. Through this project, they aim to enhance their classroom techniques and student learning by reflecting on their teaching experience.

Students choose a standard and teaching method that directly relates to their classroom and community context. They then research existing knowledge about this teaching approach, design a unit of instruction, create various assessments (diagnostic, formative, and summative), and evaluate student learning outcomes.

"Our MATs have worked tirelessly in schools this summer and this year," says Professor Katie Rieser, director of the program and Senior Lecturer in Education. "They’ve used food to teach lessons about balanced equations, taught Shakespeare in Spanish, helped kids understand the inequities embedded in standardized tests through statistical reasoning, and facilitated critical historical engagement with works of art." 

"The Capstone Projects on relevant questions of practice have served to improve and enrich the learning of their students - and will serve as the start of their legacy as teachers and scholars trained at Brown." 

Below is a list of the MAT students and the titles of their presentations from the May 22 roundtable event.