Project Opening Doors: An AP mathematics and science strategy to prepare underrepresented studetns for college success and STEM careers

康涅狄格州商业与工业协会(CBIA)教育基金会正在与康涅狄格州科学中心、康涅狄格理工学院、EASTCONN(一个地区教育服务中心)和CBIA成员公司合作开展一项ITEST战略项目，以鼓励和准备9年级和10年级的少数族裔和低收入第一代大学生在康涅狄格州的项目开放之门(POD)学校注册数学、科学和英语的高级选修课程。POD是康涅狄格州的国家数学和科学倡议，旨在增加11年级和12年级AP班级服务不足和少数族裔学生的入学人数，并提高他们的教育表现，在高等教育中取得成功，并最终在以科学和技术为基础的公司就业。ITEST项目是AP之前的一项倡议，旨在激发和激励学生在科学和技术方面的学习，并让他们为POD项目学校严格的AP课程做好准备。在为期三年的资助期内，来自八至十间小学的1,020名9年级和10年级的学生及30名教师参加激动人心的网上学习活动，旨在激发学生对AP STEM科目的兴趣。活动包括为期一年的“这有多酷？网络挑战”，辉瑞、联合技术、通用电气和东北公用事业公司等公司为学生行业团队提供发人深省的相关挑战。这些团队由来自不同学校的9年级和10年级学生组成，使用2.0工具进行虚拟协作，以解决他们面临的挑战，这些工具包括在线会议和聊天工具(Bridgit、Skype、OoVoo)、电子邮件、Wiki、协作文档和其他相关新兴技术。网络挑战赛的高潮是学生行业团队在康涅狄格州科学中心的IMAX剧院以多媒体形式向同行和行业代表展示他们的解决方案。完成的项目发布在项目的社交网站上。在这一年里，团队参加了各种补充活动，以强调STEM课程的相关性，包括大学项目，如工程挑战赛，行业代表的国家学者演讲，以及对公司的实地考察。伴随教师的专业发展包括行业外部培训和2.0工具培训，以监督学生的进步和增强他们的技术技能。外部评估员将使用每项活动的测试前和测试后调查来评估学生对STEM科目的兴趣和对STEM职业的看法；项目工作人员将跟踪学生参加AP课程的情况。项目顾问委员会包括行业代表、教育工作者和教育专家。

The Education Foundation of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA)is partnering with the Connecticut Science Center, Connecticut College of Technology, EASTCONN (a Regional Education Service Center), and CBIA member companies on an ITEST strategies project to encourage and prepare 9th and 10th grade minority and low-income, first-generation college students for enrollment in Advanced Placement courses in math, science and English in Project Opening Doors (POD) schools in Connecticut. POD, Connecticut's National Math and Science Initiative, is designed to increase enrollment of underserved and minority students in 11th and 12th grade AP classes and improve their educational performance, success in post-secondary education, and eventual employment in science and technology based companies. The ITEST project is a pre-AP initiative designed to excite and motivate students in the sciences and technology and prepare them for the rigor of AP coursework in POD project schools. Over the three-year grant period, 1,020 9th and 10th grade students and 30 teachers from eight to ten POD schools participate in exciting cyberlearning activities designed to stimulate student interest in AP STEM subjects. Activities include the year-long the "How Cool is This? Cyber-Challenge," with companies including Pfizer, United Technologies, General Electric, and Northeast Utilities, providing thought-provoking, relevant challenges to student industry teams. The teams, made up of 9th and 10th grade students from different schools, collaborate virtually to solve their challenge using 2.0 tools including online conferencing and chat tools (Bridgit, Skype, ooVoo) email, wikis, collaborative documents and other related emerging technologies. The Cyber-Challenge culminates with student industry teams presenting their solutions in a multi-media format to peers and industry representatives in the Connecticut Science Center's IMAX Theater. Finished projects are posted on the program's social networking website.During the year, teams take part in a variety of supplemental activities to underscore the relevance of STEM courses, including college programs such as Engineering Challenge, State Scholars presentations by industry representatives, and field trips to companies. Accompanying teacher professional development includes industry externships and training on 2.0 tools needed to oversee student progress and bolster their technology skills.An external evaluator will assess student interest in STEM subjects and perceptions of STEM careers using pre- and post-test surveys for each activity; program staff will track student enrollment in AP courses. The project advisory board includes industry representatives, educators, and education experts.