The Indiana Interdisciplinary GK-12: Bringing Authentic Problem Solving in STEM to Rural Middle Schools

该提案描述了普渡大学开发的Track 1项目。该提案的重点是为中学课堂带来跨学科科学方法的研究员。该项目以普渡大学的一项重大研究计划为基础，并与之相结合，该计划涉及“探索公园”的建设和人员配备。这一倡议的教育部门被称为“发现学习中心”。该提案的PI是学习中心的联席主任。提案中提到了四个目标。第一个目标是提高中学STEM教育的质量，特别是在小城镇或农村社区，以及具有多元文化和/或较低社会经济成分的中学，从而提高学生的STEM知识和兴趣。第二个目标是为研究生提供培训和指导，包括在中学课堂上的经验，并增强他们作为未来STEM教师或专业人员的能力。第三个目标是为中学教师提供专业发展，加强STEM学科的课程和探究性教育。第四个目标是促进大学和地区学校公司之间持续互利的伙伴关系，以不断加强STEM教育。

This proposal describes a Track 1 project developed by the University of Purdue. The proposal focuses on Fellows bringing interdisciplinary approaches to science in middle school classrooms. The project builds on, and integrates with, a major research initiative at Purdue, which involves building and staffing of "Discovery Park". The educational arm of this initiative is called "Discovery Learning Center". The PI for this proposal is a co-Director of the Learning Center. There are four goals noted in the proposal. The first goal is to enhance the quality of STEM education in middle schools, particularly those within small town or rural communities, and with a multicultural and/or lower socioeconomic component, thus increasing student STEM knowledge and interest. The second goal is to provide training and mentoring for graduate fellows, including experience in middle school classrooms, and enhancements to develop their ability as future STEM faculty or professionals. The third goal is to provide professional development for middle school teachers, enhancing offerings and inquiry-based education in STEM disciplines. The fourth goal is to foster ongoing, mutually beneficial partnerships between the university and area school corporations to continually enhance STEM education.