MPWG: Operation SMART Western South Dakota Expansion National Science Foundation Model Project

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9553484 Flatt The current Operation SMART project has been very successful in utilizing methods and materials developed for out-of-school girls' programs to provide training and technical assistance to public school teachers, as well as to enable students to experience equity-based, hands-on, math and science activities in their classrooms. This award enables the Operation SMART project to significantly expand its efforts to include an additional 600-700 students and 22 elementary teachers, largely in rural areas, a population not previously targeted, and to focus on project evaluation. This training and technical project is designed: (1) to improve the performance and persistence of girls in science, math and relevant technology, while influencing all students' positive performance in these disciplines, and (2) to increase teachers' use of hands-on inquiry, and problem solving approaches while building confidence in their teaching skills, which involves increasing their awareness of and skills in addressing gender equity as a cultural issue. An evaluation of the project will include: a quantitative analysis of the project impact on students and teachers; a qualitative analysis of the project impact on teacher attitudes, perceptions and implementation of project activities; and an analysis of the process of developing and implementing the project--ascertaining key elements, methods, and players--the "who, what, why, and how." ***