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Enhancing STEM Learning Through an Interdisciplinary Research-Centered Curriculum

Tiffany Farmer, Kimberly Mulligan, & Virginia Shepherd Vanderbilt Center for Science Outreach . Enhancing STEM Learning Through an Interdisciplinary Research-Centered Curriculum. Overview. Center for Science Outreach (CSO)-Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) Partnerships

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Enhancing STEM Learning Through an Interdisciplinary Research-Centered Curriculum

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  1. Tiffany Farmer, Kimberly Mulligan, & Virginia Shepherd Vanderbilt Center for Science Outreach Enhancing STEM Learning Through an Interdisciplinary Research-Centered Curriculum

  2. Overview • Center for Science Outreach (CSO)-Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) Partnerships • Interdisciplinary Science & Research (ISR) • Curriculum Development & Adjustments • Data from Stratford Cohort • Challenges Faced • Sustainability

  3. CSO-MNPS Partnerships Scientist in the classroom School for science & Math Since 2007 Graduated first 4-year class in 2011 Academically selective 25 MNPS students per year Hands-on, research based curriculum • Since January 2000 • Began as NSF GK-12 • Partners • Science Teaching Fellows (STFs) • Graduate students • Post-doctoral fellows • Middle school teachers • Science • Math

  4. STEM Magnet Partnerships • Stratford STEM Magnet High School • Fall 2010 • Interdisciplinary Science & Research Courses • Hattie Cotton STEM Magnet Elementary • Fall 2011 • Resident Scientist and STFs • Bailey Stem Magnet Middle School • Fall 2012 • Resident Scientist and STFs

  5. Interdisciplinary Science & Research (ISR) • Four-year interdisciplinary, research-centered science pathway • Students enter in 9th grade • Stratford and Hillsboro • Rigorous curriculum • Co-taught by science teacher and scientist • Students move from large group projects (Years 1 & 2) to more individualized research (Years 3 & 4)

  6. ISR Curriculum • Summer 2010 • Grades 9 & 10 • Developed over 3 weeks • Teachers and scientists

  7. ISR Curriculum 2010-2011 • Water Quality • Research Project: Biological and Chemical Health of Richland Creek • Astronomy • Research Project: The Sun and UV Effects • Forensic Science • Research Project: Chicken Body Farm • Infectious Disease • Research Project: Outbreak: Tracking the Source

  8. ISR Curriculum 2011-12 9th Grade 10th Grade Water Quality Infectious Disease Air Quality Forensic Science 11th Grade • Laboratory Basics • Astronomy & Meteorology • Nanotechnology • Entomology • Diabesity • Environmental Science • Cancer Biology

  9. ISR Curriculum 2012-13 9th Grade 10th Grade Water Quality Infectious Disease Air Quality Forensic Science 11th Grade • Laboratory Basics • Nanotechnology • Meteorology • Invertebrate Zoology • Neuroscience • Diabesity • Environmental Science • Cancer Biology 12th Grade • Evolution • Ethics • History Makers • Service Learning Project • Science in . . .

  10. ISR Anticipated Outcomes • Increased student • scores on end of course (EOC) tests • overall grade point average (GPA) • standardized test scores (Plan, ACT) • preparedness to conduct projects in university research laboratories • college-readiness • pursuit of STEM majors in college and ultimately enter careers in STEM-related fields

  11. School Demographics (2012) Stratford

  12. Baseline Data for Stratford and the ISR Program

  13. ISR Student Gains

  14. ISR Student Attitudes Towards Science-Post Survey Means (June 2012) Scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree; 2 = Mildly Disagree; 3 = Mildly Agree; 4 = Strongly Agree *Indicates a significant change from pre to post at the p < 0.05 level based on paired samples t-tests.

  15. Student Survey DataStereotypes of Science(June 2012) Scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree; 2 = Mildly Disagree; 3 = Mildly Agree; 4 = Strongly Agree *Indicates a significant change from pre to post at the p < 0.05 level based on independent samples t-tests.

  16. Post-Secondary Schooling and Career Interests-Post Survey Means (June 2012) Scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree; 2 = Mildly Disagree; 3 = Mildly Agree; 4 = Strongly Agree.

  17. What do students like best? • the ability to have a problem in class. then be given the chance to test or be shown the results. i felt more in tune with my work when i could test the questions. • I love the way the teachers operate in class. I feel as if I am in college already and they will prepare me for the real thing. The projects are interesting also. • ITS FUN to know more interesting facts about life & do projects. its also hard for us, but its just another step to college. • Being able to work with class mates like scientist do side by side and learn all together.

  18. Challenges at Stratford • Student preparation • Transient population • Teachers • Students • Move out of zone • Select other magnet schools • Parental involvement • Shift in teaching/learning styles

  19. School Demographics (2012) Hillsboro

  20. Challenges at Hillsboro • Fitting into established structure • International Baccalaureate Program • Scheduling • Rapid program expansion • Current Enrollment • Grade 9: 31 • Grade 10: 17 • Grade 11: 11 • Shift in teaching/learning styles

  21. ISR Sustainability & Future Directions • Programs will be sustained through integration with the ongoing 13-year Scientist in the Classroom Partnership, with one-day scientists working with MNPS teachers to teach the ISR elective courses • The CSO will provide continuing professional development for future ISR teachers • The ISR program will be expanded to additional high schools in Nashville and the middle TN region through collaborations with the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network

  22. Acknowledgements • Teachers • Brian Harrell • Matt Anderson • Josh Swartz, Ph.D. • Scientists • Kimberly Mulligan, Ph.D. • Sean Carmody, Ph.D. • Melissa Fischer, Ph.D. • Evaluator • Susan Kuner Ed.D., Topaz Canyon Group • Funding Sources • Office Of The Director, National Institutes Of Health of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R25OD011119. • Subcontract, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, Award Number U165A100093 from the Department of Education.

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