STEM-IQ: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Inquiry- Enhancing Science Education in Southeast Alabama

STEM-IQ：科学、技术、工程和数学探究 - 加强阿拉巴马州东南部的科学教育

• 批准号: 1348368
• 负责人: Allen Landers
• 金额: $ 74.27万
• 依托单位: Auburn University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2014-03-15 至 2020-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1348368&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: STEM; IQ; Science; Technology; Engineering

This project tests the extent to which science fair participation addresses the opportunity gaps that limit STEM pipeline diversity, such as access to educational opportunities, exposure to career possibilities, quality of educational programs, and institutional and personal competitiveness. It focuses on advancing secondary school teachers' motivation and ability to lead their students in science fair projects, and develop a long-term appreciation for the effectiveness of inquiry-based learning. The five-year program targets rural, high-need schools, and economically disadvantaged students from underrepresented minority (URM) groups. The high quality, competitive, inquiry-based science fair projects lead students through a strong STEM pipeline leading to increased participation in higher education and potentially STEM careers.Intellectual MeritThe project goals are to: (1) establish a network of STEM teachers and area administrators that pro-actively engage students in project-based learning and give them access to university resources and guidance to empower inquiry-based STEM learning; (2) increase the number of students from underrepresented groups in rural Alabama that participate in high-quality science fair projects; (3) develop a sustainable relationship between Auburn University and local public schools for continued growth beyond the scope of the project; and (4) increase positive student attitudes towards STEM through exposure to higher education, career options, and interactions with university research mentors. To accomplish these goals, the project leadership engages middle and high school teachers and administrators from vertically aligned schools (e.g., a middle school that feeds into a specific high school) in professional development workshops that focus on science and engineering fair project development and hosting local science fair competitions. Teachers and students develop high-quality science fair projects using university laboratories and faculty guidance. Trained teachers and administrators become agents of expanding the network and establishing a STEM culture in their schools.Broader ImpactsThe project leverages Auburn University?s College of Sciences and Mathematics Outreach Center activities to establish partnerships between Auburn University science and engineering faculty and high-need public schools in southeast Alabama. Over 720 students, 48 science teachers, and 12 administrators from 34 school districts are gaining access to Auburn University research facilities and faculty expertise in developing high-quality science fair projects. The program promotes a culture of project-based STEM learning and positive STEM identity among students who might not consider STEM higher education as an option. The model of university and local school system interaction to enhance URM interest and engagement in STEM higher education can be scaled and replicated nationwide.

该项目测试科学博览会的参与在多大程度上解决了限制STEM渠道多样性的机会差距，如获得教育机会、接触职业可能性、教育项目质量以及机构和个人竞争力。它的重点是提高中学教师在科学博览会项目中领导学生的动机和能力，并培养对探究性学习有效性的长期欣赏。这项为期五年的计划以农村、高需求学校和来自代表不足的少数群体(URM)的经济困难学生为目标。高质量、竞争性、基于探究的科学博览会项目带领学生通过强大的STEM管道，增加对高等教育和潜在STEM职业的参与。该项目的目标是：(1)建立STEM教师和地区管理人员网络，积极参与基于项目的学习，并为他们提供大学资源和指导，以增强基于探究的STEM学习；(2)增加来自阿拉巴马州农村地区代表不足的群体的学生参加高质量科学博览会项目的数量；(3)发展奥本大学与当地公立学校之间的可持续关系，以实现项目范围以外的持续增长；以及(4)通过接触高等教育、职业选择以及与大学研究导师的互动，增加学生对STEM的积极态度。为了实现这些目标，项目领导层邀请来自垂直排列的学校(例如，送入特定高中的中学)的初中和高中教师和管理人员参加专业发展研讨会，重点是科学和工程博览会项目开发和举办当地科学博览会竞赛。教师和学生利用大学实验室和教师指导开发高质量的科学博览会项目。训练有素的教师和管理人员成为扩展网络和在学校建立STEM文化的推动者。广泛影响该项目利用奥本大学S科学学院和数学推广中心的活动，在奥本大学理工科教师和阿拉巴马州东南部有高度需求的公立学校之间建立合作伙伴关系。来自34个学区的720多名学生、48名科学教师和12名管理人员将获得奥本大学的研究设施和教师在开发高质量科学博览会项目方面的专业知识。该计划在可能不考虑STEM高等教育的学生中推广基于项目的STEM学习文化和积极的STEM认同感。大学和地方学校系统互动的模式，以提高URM对STEM高等教育的兴趣和参与度，可以在全国范围内推广和复制。