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Eric.ed.gov – Improving the Laboratory Experience for America’s High School Students. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education of the Committee on Science and Technology, House of Representatives, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session (March 8, 2007). Serial Number 110-9

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This hearing discussed how lack of coordination between laboratory exercises and classroom lectures, inadequately trained teachers, languishing facilities, and current high school organization diminish the value these exercises can have or prohibit them all together, and highlighted how a strong hands-on experience can create scientifically literate students, interested in pursuing a career in science. Statement presenters include: Representative Brian Baird, Chairman, Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives; Representative Vernon J. Ehlers, Ranking Minority Member, Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives; Honorable Ruben Hinojosa, Congressional Representative from Texas; Dr. Arthur Eisenkraft, Distinguished Professor of Science Education; Director, Center of Science and Math in Context (COSMIC), University of Massachusetts, Boston; Linda… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Choosing a STEM Path: “Course-Sequencing in High School and Postsecondary Outcomes”

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: The College Ambition Program (CAP) model was developed to support high schools in preparing their students to enter STEM fields. CAP includes four programmatic components: mentoring, course counseling and advising, college-related activities and workshops, and teacher professional development and instructional support. This study is part of a larger project that will test the overall effectiveness of the CAP intervention model that is concluding its first year of implementation and data collection (2010-2011). Currently, two experimental schools and two control schools will be included in the analysis. Data will be collected from school records, student surveys, and merged with state data. Each component of the intervention has specific measures for assessing relative value for increasing college attendance and STEM interest among students who are college ready, but do… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Gender Differences in Interest, Perceived Personal Capacity, and Participation in STEM-Related Activities

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Today, more women than in the past obtain degrees in science and engineering. However, women still remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This study identifies whether the Engagement, Capacity, and Continuity (ECC) Trilogy could be utilized by teachers in technology and engineering program setting to examine their students’ interest (engagement), perceived personal capacity (capacity), and participation (continuity) in technology- and engineering-related activities. The ECC Trilogy provides a practical framework that can potentially assist teachers in identifying what factors create barriers to students wanting to become an engineer or pursuing a career in a technology- or engineering-related field. In order to identify where a lack of interest may occur, this study compares male and female middle school and high school students’ responses to STEM-related survey… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Predicting High School Students’ Interest in Majoring in a STEM Field: Insight into High School Students’ Postsecondary Plans

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This study examined how various individual, family, and school level contextual factors impact the likelihood of planning to major in one of the science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields for high school students. A binary logistic regression model was developed to determine the extent to which each of the covariates helped to predict such academic interest. High school course taking in science and performance on science and math standardized tests were significantly and positively related to an increased interest in STEM. College aspirations were significant, and those with loftier educational goals were generally more likely to plan to major in a STEM field. Other individual-level factors also played a significant role, as male high school students were significantly more likely to have an early interest in… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Increasing School Engagement through Theme-Based Curriculum

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This paper reports on an evaluation of a distinctive university-school partnership program, Curriculum Bridges. Curriculum Bridges aims to develop the enthusiasm and capacity of students from disadvantaged schools in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). These objectives are sought by developing a theme in the curriculum across subjects in years 10, 11 and 12. In the pilot phase, the curricula of English, Maths and Biology were linked together through the theme of ‘understanding and curing disease’. These curricula were developed by the school teachers, who received training in the ‘backward design’ approach. The model also integrates into the curriculum university on-campus activities and excursions. UniBridges was originally implemented in three schools in 2011 and is ongoing. Our evaluation found that UniBridges has increased student… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Math + Science + Technology = Vocational Preparation for Girls: A Difficult Equation to Balance.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Females are underrepresented in courses in mathematics, science, and computer and other high technology applications. Research in the last decade has identified a variety of factors that contribute to females’ lack of participation in math, science, and technology. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following: stereotypic images and expectations, lack of self-confidence, peer pressure, learning environment, teacher behavior, lack of female role models, failure to see relevance, attributional style or personal responsibility, and lack of incentives. The following strategies can address these issues: (1) parents’, teachers’, and counselors’ efforts to dispel stereotypes; (2) improvement of self-confidence; (3) use of peer pressure by making success in math and science prestigious; (4) enhancement of the learning environment; (5) equalization of teacher behavior; (6) provision of female… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Developing the STEM Education Pipeline

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: For almost 50 years, ACT has played a pivotal role in promoting student access into and success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. Through academic and career assessments, career development tools, and extensive research, they have helped inform students, parents, teachers, career counselors, employers, and policymakers about the skills that are needed to perform effectively in STEM fields. ACT’s EPAS[TM] (Educational Planning and Assessment System) is the only longitudinal assessment system that begins measuring students’ college readiness in middle school and follows students into high school and college to evaluate their persistence and success. What ACT’s research shows is clear: The students most likely to major in STEM fields in college and persist to earn their degrees are those who develop interests in STEM careers… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Digital Storytelling: A Tool for Teaching and Learning in the YouTube Generation

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Say the phrase “Charlie bit my finger,” and just about every human being with Internet access visualizes the viral video clip of baby Charlie precociously biting the finger of his brother. With almost 200 million views, this video represents just one of thousands of viral videos that form a core component of modern entertainment, news, and advertising. These snippets that people e-mail, post, and pass on to one another faster than the common cold have rapidly moved from the fringe of youth culture to the mainstream. What if teachers could capitalize on student interest in these quick and quirky video clips as a way to help students connect with curriculum? That is exactly what Tyler Binkley, a first-year teacher and member of the YouTube generation, has set… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Arts for Academic Achievement. Changing Student Attitudes toward Math: Using Dance To Teach Math.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This paper presents results of a study that sought to answer the question, “How does integrating dance and math in an intense co-teaching model of integration affect student attitudes toward learning math?” The goal of the dance/math project was to engage students in math in ways that reached students’ multiple intelligences and encouraged them to make complex connections and try new problem solving techniques. The classroom teachers who designed and implemented the project hypothesized that students who worked with a dancer once a week to learn math concepts would become more engaged in mathematics and have more successful and positive experiences with mathematics than students who did not work with a dancer. Overall there was a significant difference between the dance/math students’ and the non-dance/math students’ attitudes… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Engaging Diverse Learners through the Provision of STEM Education Opportunities. Briefing Paper

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are viewed as fundamental elements in the preparation of our next generation. This is evidenced by President Obama’s goal of “moving our nation from the middle to the top of the pack in math and science education” and his focus on (a) hiring additional STEM teachers; (b) enhancing STEM literacy so students can think critically in key subjects; (c) improving the quality of instruction to help U.S. students perform competitively with those in other nations; and (d) expanding STEM education and career opportunities for women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups (The White House, 2010). To begin laying this foundation for students as they compete in the 21st century economy, educators and decision makers must continue to increase their understanding of various… Continue Reading