TECH EXPLORER: ENGAGING STUDENTS IN STEM EDUCATION AND CAREERS

科技探索者弹射器项目为中学生提供了一门整合了创新的基于项目的实验室体验的数学课程。学生们在上课时间使用电动和手工工具制作并组装成一个小弹射器。完成后，学生们与他们的弹射器竞争。该项目将“及时”数学与实际操作体验结合在一起，类似于制造或维修技术人员在工作中可能会做的事情。为了加强学生的学习效果，该项目1)创建了两个教学模块，将数学概念整合到制作弹射器中；2)将这些模块与加州教育内容标准连接起来；3)在六所高中测试这些模块并评估学习结果；4)为教师提供基于项目学习的在职暑期学院。技术探索者加深了对将学术概念与实践项目相结合的有效性的理解，以此作为增加学习动机的一种手段。此外，该项目还为学生提供了一种经验，通过这种经验，他们可以衡量自己对STEM教育和职业的兴趣和能力。项目成果和课程通过在职暑期学院向中学和中学后教育工作者传播。一个可搜索的应用学术课程计划的互联网数据库进一步促进了基于项目的学习研究和实施，并广泛传播成果。

The Tech-Explorer catapult project delivers to students in secondary school a mathematics curriculum integrated with an innovative project-based laboratory experience. Students use power and hand tools to make and assemble parts into a small catapult during class time. Upon completion, students compete with their catapults. The project incorporates "just in time" mathematics coupled with a hands-on experience similar to what a manufacturing or repair technician might do on the job. To strengthen student learning outcomes, the project 1) creates two instructional modules to teach mathematics concepts integrated into making a catapult; 2) connects the modules to California education content standards; 3) tests the modules at six high schools and evaluates learning outcomes; and 4) delivers an in-service summer institute for teachers on project-based learning. Tech-Explorer advances understanding regarding the effectiveness of integrating academic concepts with hands-on projects as a means to increase motivation for learning. Additionally, the project provides students with an experience by which they can gauge their interest and aptitude in STEM education and careers. Project outcomes and curricula are disseminated to secondary and post secondary educators through the in-service summer institute. A searchable Internet database of applied academic lesson plans furthers project-based learning research and implementation, as well as widely disseminates outcomes.