Since 2018, the University of Michigan (U-M) has driven the Sloan Foundation-funded Sloan Equity and Inclusion in STEM Introductory Courses (SEISMIC) initiative, building a national community of more than 250 collaborators across 10 leading public research universities to improve equity and effectiveness in introductory STEM education.
Led by Principal Investigator Tim McKay, professor of physics, astronomy, education, and associate dean for undergraduate education in U-M's College or Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA), and the SEISMIC team, the collaboration launched its second phase, SEISMIC 2.0, in 2025, building on this strong foundation with renewed support from the Sloan Foundation. SEISMIC 2.0 focuses on transforming assessment practices in large STEM courses to move beyond traditional “weed-out” models toward more inclusive, student-centered learning environments.
In January 2026, Google.org awarded SEISMIC 2.0 an additional $527,000 to expand the collaboration and accelerate research on the role of generative AI in STEM assessment and learning. The partnership was catalyzed through Sloan Foundation connections, with key support from U-M and LSA Corporate and Foundation Relations in securing and finalizing the gift.
Over the next three years, SEISMIC 2.0 will pilot and scale new assessment approaches across more than 14 leading research institutions, testing their effectiveness in real-world teaching and learning environments. At its core, the project asks whether the complex systems shaping assessment in large, foundational STEM courses can be modernized to become more effective and equitable. With support from Google.org, the collaboration moves beyond small-scale experimentation to demonstrate meaningful change at scale. Building on the national influence of SEISMIC 1.0, this work will establish new models for assessment that support broader student success and help set a new standard for higher education. The initiative will culminate in a national conference in 2028, extending its impact across the STEM education community.
Look to Michigan for the foundational knowledge and experience to ignite purposeful change.
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