New, GK-12 Connections in the Classroom: Molecules to Muscles (C2M2)

课堂中的连接：分子到肌肉(C2M2)的目标是在跨学科的研究和教育环境中提高研究生研究员的沟通和教学技能。跨学科的研究主题？从分子到肌肉？作为一种工具，通过将对高中生重要的领域(即体育、士兵保护)的研究进展联系起来，增加科学课程与高中生的相关性，而研究员将获得通过跨学科团队方法与其领域外的非科学受众和研究人员交流的能力。提高人类表现的研究超越了个别科学学科的界限，需要生物学家、化学家、生物化学家、材料科学家和工程师之间的无缝沟通。每年将从科学和技术学院招聘8名研究员，与HS科学教师合作，以研究员为基础开发和提供课堂活动？研究范围从用于运动器材的聚合物复合材料到呼吸的生化过程。研究员、教师和高中生将通过一种独特的跨学科方法获得对科学进步的综合性质的赞赏。C2M2将影响不同的研究员、教师和HS学生群体，目标是培养未来的科学领袖。密西西比州在高科技行业的参与率排名第49位，非洲裔美国人的比例最高，这一群体在高级STEM学位和职业中的比例尤其低，南密西西比大学拥有三分之一的少数族裔学生。结果将通过一个网站、出版物以及在教育和科学会议上的介绍来传播。业界支持将有助于维持GK-12活动。

The goal of Connections in the Classroom: Molecules to Muscles (C2M2) is to enhance graduate fellows' communication and teaching skills in an interdisciplinary research and education setting. The interdisciplinary research theme ?molecules to muscles? is used as a vehicle to increase relevancy of science coursework to high school students by relating research advances in areas important to them (i.e. sports, soldier protection), while fellows will gain the ability to communicate to non-scientific audiences and researchers outside their field through an interdisciplinary team approach. Research improving human performance transcends the boundaries of individual scientific disciplines and requires seamless communication between biologists, chemists, biochemists, materials scientists and engineers. Eight fellows will be recruited each year from the College of Science and Technology to work with HS science teachers to develop and deliver classroom activities based on fellows? research, ranging from polymer composites for sporting equipment to biochemical processes of respiration. Fellows, teachers and high school students will gain appreciation for the integrative nature of scientific advancements through a unique interdisciplinary approach. C2M2 will impact a diverse group of fellows, teachers and HS students with the goal of developing future scientific leaders. Mississippi ranks 49th in participation in the high-tech industry and has the highest percentage African American population, a segment particularly underrepresented in advanced STEM degrees and careers, and The University of Southern Mississippi hosts a one-third minority student population. Results will be disseminated through a web-site, publications and presentations at education and scientific conferences. Industry support will help sustain GK-12 activities.