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Creating the Connection Between Classrooms and Health Care Careers . MOBILE SCIENCE LAB PROJECT. In The beginning.
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Creating the Connection Between Classrooms and Health Care Careers MOBILE SCIENCE LAB PROJECT
In The beginning Many years ago, a group consisting of business and education representatives began exploring solutions to the lack of access to scientific technology in the public school system. Stakeholders included Southeast Service Cooperative (SSC), Rochester Area Math Science Partnership (RAMSP), Mayo Clinic, Center of Integrated Health Science Education and Practice (CIHSEP), Mankato West High School, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), Winona State University (WSU), South Central Service Cooperative (SCSC), Hormel Foods Corporation, Hormel Institute, Medical Innovations International, Minnesota State University Mankato, Greater Mankato Economic Development Corporation, Lifescience Alley, Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC), Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), Workforce Development Incorporated (WDI), and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Two major themes were identified: 1) across the country there were examples of highly successful mobile science lab initiatives that were resulting in increased student achievement in the STEM disciplines; and 2) a local survey of over 100 educators determined that there was a desire to have access to leading-edge technology and to partner with industry to enhance the classroom experience.
At the same time … • The Mayo Clinic was looking for ways to expand their Educator Academy program. Developed in the 1990’s based on feedback from Rochester Area Math Science Partnership members, these one-week courses for high school science teachers are conducted on the Mayo Clinic campus and showcase the latest science advancements, technologies, and techniques with the goal of expanding molecular biology and genomics in high school classrooms. Topics include: • BioRadpGLOSystem • Mitochondrial DNA Purification • Subcloning • DNA Sequencing • Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) • Recently, the program has branched out to include agriculture educators as well. This course uses modern molecular biology techniques to analyze food products and crops to see if they use genetically modified crops. This includes • DNA Extraction • Gel Electrophoresis and Analysis • In addition, the class meets four times during the school year to encourage teacher-to-teacher interactions and foster long-term instructional development. Mayo provides all materials and covers all costs for the training program, including graduate credits.
Taking the next step • In order to properly support the Educator Academies, participating teachers needed access to the equipment and supplies to replicate the experiments in their classrooms for their students. The best way to do this was to develop a traveling trailer with scientific equipment and consumable supplies on-board for teachers to borrow for use in the classroom.Thanks to a $75,000 grant from HealthForce Minnesota, we launched the program in January of 2009.
Goals of the original project • Provide eligible high schools with all the science and lab equipment necessary for classroom laboratory activities based on their Educator Academy experience. • Support future schools that have a teacher participate in the program (approximately, 27 additional teachers per year). • Increase excitement for STEM education by impacting students directly with a program designed to enhance their science education programs. • Ensure that area educators have up-to-date knowledge related to the latest and greatest science techniques and research. • Create an ongoing cohort of educators that will continue to share and learn from their participation long after formal activities are concluded.
The first lab … its impact • 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR • 421 students were exposed to the Mobile Science Lab. • It visited 7 districts during that winter and spring. • 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR • 783 students were exposed during the 2009-2010 school year. • It visited 16 districts and was completely booked, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. • Teachers gave us tremendous feedback. • BUT … • It became obvious that one trailer was not going to meet demand in the region and reach as many students as possible, so we began a funding campaign to develop and deploy a second Mobile Science Lab.
Expanded Goals of the project • Provide eligible high schools with all the science and lab equipment necessary for classroom laboratory activities based on their Educator Academy experience. • Support future schools that have a teacher participate in the program • Increase excitement for STEM education by impacting students directly with a program designed to enhance their science education programs. • Ensure that area educators have up-to-date knowledge related to the latest and greatest science techniques and research. • Create an ongoing cohort of educators that will continue to share and learn from their participation long after formal activities are concluded. • Ensure that we can provide the needed level of support for the current program and meet district demand. • Allow us to add equipment and supplies to support recent program expansion, which includes delivery of newly developed agricultural curriculum.
Regional outreach to date • 110 Teachers Trained39 District Visits1,260 Students Impacted … PLUS … • 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR • Goodhue – 14 students Triton • Wabasha-Kellogg – 60 students Medford • Schaeffer Academy – 33 students Fillmore Central • Lanesboro Red Wing • Winona Byron • Cochrane-Fountain City • Kingsland • Byron • Fillmore Central • Glenville-Emmons • Cannon Falls Plus there are still rental periods available, so many more teachers will schedule the trailer for their classrooms before the end of the school year!
Teacher testimonials "A parent contacted me and told me how excited his student was about doing molecular labs and using the cool equipment." – Darrin Ellsworth, Fillmore Central “Thank you for all of your efforts in getting the trailer. Without your efforts, my students would never have had the opportunity to use the equipment included in the trailer.” – Kristal Brogan, Kingsland “The technology and advanced equipment allowed students access to supplies and knowledge not normally available at the high school level. This is a wonderful opportunity for my students. It was a learning experience that gave my students a taste of what is emerging in science and education. Thank you for this chance to provide them with an experience that few students have.” – Sandy Bussian, Winona "I can't say enough how great it is that the funding and work to put this resource together has been done. I think this is a great model for getting new technology into our high schools." - Tony McGee, Wabasha-Kellogg
Student survey results • 77% indicated that science will play an important role in their future. • 26% said that they are considering pursuing a health science career (higher than any other option in any other field). • 91% indicated that the experience personally impacted them in a positive way (by increasing engagement in their learning, teaching them new skills, and/or increasing awareness of scientific careers). • Students reported that using the Mobile Science Lab “changed my opinion of science and biology,” “proved that science is relevant to my life,” “made me curious of other applications of what we worked with,” “got me excited about science,” “helped me learn that I'm good at science,” and “really inspired me.”
Lots of publicity Wabasha County Herald Dodge Center Star Record
