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

康涅狄格商业和工业协会（CBIA）的教育基金会正在与康涅狄格科学中心、康涅狄格理工学院、EASTCONN（一个区域教育服务中心）以及CBIA成员公司合作开展一项ITEST战略项目，以鼓励9年级和10年级的少数族裔和低收入的第一代大学生参加数学大学先修课程，并为他们做好准备。在康涅狄格的开放式项目（POD）学校学习科学和英语。POD是康涅狄格州的国家数学和科学计划，旨在增加11年级和12年级AP课程中服务不足和少数民族学生的入学率，提高他们的教育成绩，在高等教育中取得成功，并最终在科技公司就业。ITEST项目是一项预AP计划，旨在激发和激励学生在科学和技术方面的兴趣，并为他们在POD项目学校的严格AP课程做好准备。在三年的资助期内，来自8至10所POD学校的1,020名9年级和10年级学生和30名教师参加了令人兴奋的网络学习活动，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”，与辉瑞、联合技术、通用电气和东北公用事业等公司合作，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九年级和十年级的学生组成，他们使用2.0工具进行虚拟协作，包括在线会议和聊天工具（bridgeit、Skype、ooVoo）、电子邮件、维基、协作文档和其他相关新兴技术来解决他们的挑战。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影院以多媒体形式向同行和行业代表展示他们的解决方案。完成的项目会发布在该项目的社交网站上。在这一年中，团队将参加各种补充活动，以强调STEM课程的相关性，包括大学项目，如工程挑战赛，行业代表的州立学者演讲，以及对公司的实地考察。伴随教师的专业发展包括行业实习和2.0工具培训，以监督学生的进步，提高他们的技术技能。外部评估人员将使用每个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在AP课程中的注册情况。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.