K-12 Fellows to Initiate Problem Based Learning Partnerships

克拉克森大学与3个当地学区合作，将20名研究生和7名本科生安置在当地学区，与纽约州立大学波茨坦分校的教师合作，为七年级和八年级提供“基于问题的学习”（PBL）体验。该项目在多学科氛围中提供学习体验，在基础科学、数学、工程和技术（SMET）之间建立直接联系，并将其与社会问题的解决方案联系起来。研究生和本科生正在使用这种教学技术作为一种手段，以加强地区学校的SMET教学，同时增加K-12学生对SMET科目的兴趣。为期一年的课程让七年级和八年级的学生接触到各种各样的SMET概念，因为他们要解决与环境污染相关的问题，这些问题对他们的社区有直接的影响。与整个问题相关的具体模块正在针对高中和小学水平进行调整。课程包括两个初步项目：学校的固体废物管理和人类接触环境铅的危害。这些研究员分布在克拉克森SMET的各个学科。在此过程中，学员对解决问题的策略有了更深入的了解，并在教学和交流方面积累了宝贵的经验。其他活动包括：1)研讨会和为研究员准备的三学分课程；2)技术应用和PBL方法方面的教师培训讲习班；3)召开合作伙伴会议，审查正在进行的项目并评估成果；4)向外部评审小组和教育学会展示结果。

Clarkson University in collaboration with 3 local school districts places 20 graduate students and 7 undergraduate students in local school districts to facilitate a "Problem Based Learning" (PBL) experience for the 7th and 8th grades with faculty collaboration from SUNY-Potsdam. This project is providing a learning experience within a multidisciplinary atmosphere creating a direct link between basic science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (SMET) and their relevance to the solution of societal problems. Graduate and undergraduate fellows are using this pedagogical technique as a means to enhance the teaching of SMET in area schools while simultaneously increasing the interest in SMET subjects by the K-12 student population. The year-long curriculum is exposing 7th and 8th grade students to a wide variety of SMET concepts as they solve problems associated with environmental contamination that have direct impacts on their community. Specific modules associated with the overall problem are being adapted to target high school and elementary school levels. The curriculum includes two initial projects, solid waste management at the school and the hazards of human exposure to environmental lead. The fellows are distributed across SMET disciplines at Clarkson. Through this process the fellows are also gaining a better understanding of problem solving strategies, and valuable experience in teaching and communication. Additional activities include: 1) seminars and a three-credit course to prepare the fellows; 2) workshops for teacher training in technology applications and PBL methodology; 3) partnership meetings for review of on-going projects and assessment of outcomes, and; 4) presentation of results to external review groups and educational societies.