Teaching and Learning

The FOCAL Lab studies the cognitive processes that underpin learning throughout the school years. The cognitive foundations that are central to our studies include motivation, executive function and self-regulation, sensorimotor and visuospatial processing, phonological skills, and general knowledge of the world. 

The Engineering Design Initiative aims to foster advanced and innovative performance across a range of subjects by integrating engineering design into K-12 classrooms. 

The Contemplative Teaching and Learning Lab applies the contemplative sciences to informing our understanding of life-span development and education.

The Robert H. Tai Research Group is a research team based at the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia.  This multi-institutional team conducts quantitative and qualitative research on major issues in Science Education.  The overarching goal is to produce robust empirical data that targets national policy, with the outcome of developing science students into productive and contributing scientists.

Dr. Tai and his research team cover a wide-range of interests including student engagement in K-12 science, the retention of students in the science pipeline, factors influencing success in college science courses, the transition of graduate students to practicing scientist, as well as the role of specialized high schools in talent development.  The team takes advantage of the many outlets for sharing and presenting research findings, thus reaching a wide audience in informing and influencing Science Education.

The aim of the 21st Century Learning Project is to create a framework of a common language, theory, and operational plan for societies to promote citizens’ learning in the 21st century. This framework will organize an expanding global network of engaged partners collaborating in an iterative process of refinement, application, and expansion.