EHE News
Energized about sustainable energy:
Rural ninth-graders explore STEM careers
New National Science Foundation grant nurtures the next generation of our nation's STEM experts
Dean Cristol
Two hundred and fifty ninth-graders in rural Ohio and North Carolina are developing critical thinking skills about sustainable energy from hands-on learning experiences, thanks to a new grant project directed by Associate Professor Dean Cristol, Teaching and Learning, Lima Regional Campus.
With $864,000 from the National Science Foundation, Cristol and his research team partner in the "It's About Discovery" project, which will involve a total of 400 students over three years in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) content with the support of 20 teachers and business professionals.
Students at six underserved high schools in Ohio and one in North Carolina have begun studying sustainable energy using the new Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS) science curriculum that Cristol's team selected as the foundation for the project. Ford PAS uses real-world experiences and open-ended problems that result in real world applications.
"The Ford PAS career exploration modules we are using focus on higher order thinking and critical thinking skills," says Cristol. "They are designed to prepare and encourage students to pursue STEM options in high school and beyond. We are measuring whether the curriculum helps students acquire the necessary content knowledge and attitudes about STEM careers to influence them to choose such an educational and career path."
Teachers gain new skills in teaching STEM
While the primary focus is on students, throughout the life of the project all teachers will engage in a new professional development model that encourages inquiry-based teaching and enables them to partner with teachers in different schools and in a different state.
The professional development will center on the Ford PAS modules to ensure quality teaching and understanding of the content. The teachers will involve students in online conversations with other students, teachers and mentors. These conversations will evolve into hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences for the students.
"This project will help teachers better understand how to positively affect and encourage young people to think about STEM careers," Cristol says. "This is especially true for young people living in rural communities and suffering from high poverty."
Technology is being integrated throughout the project to enable students to create inquiry-based projects across state lines and for teachers to continue their professional development. Community partners will serve as mentors, host field trips, and engage in online conversations with students.
Benefits to students, teachers and community
The grant from the National Science Foundation allows the program to be offered at no additional cost to the participating schools. Program teachers can earn up to six graduate credits per year as well as participate in national conferences. The schools will receive the supplies and new technology to make the curriculum a success and form partnerships with industry and business in their areas.
Students will have the opportunity to go on field trips and to present their projects at a national level. They will share their experiences with their peers in different classrooms through video upload. For example, students who visit a North Carolina nuclear energy facility will share with Ohio students who have visited a wind plant, and vice versa.
The Ford PAS curriculum, Working Toward Sustainability, has four modules: We All Run on Energy, Energy from the Sun, Is Hydrogen a Solution?, and The Nuclear Revolution. While the grant-funded portion of the program only extends through two academic years, teachers will come away with the curriculum and supplies to continue, thus benefiting their schools on a long-term basis.
Participating schools in Ohio include Antwerp HIgh School (Antwerp Local School District), Bath High School (Bath School District), Perry High School (Perry School District), Paulding High School and Van Wert High School in the Western Buckeye ESC (Paulding and Van Wert counties) and Wayne Trace High School (Wayne Trace Local Schools). In North Carolina, Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville is participating.
It's About Discovery is a partnership between The Ohio State University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Fayetteville State University. Cristol's grant team includes of Chris Andersen, director of Project GRO in the Office of Research and the Office of University Outreach and Engagement at Ohio State, and Lynn Sametz, associate director of the Center for Youth, Family & Community Partnerships at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
Compiled from a news release by Pam Joseph and Lesley King Fry.
© 2011 The Ohio State University - College of Education and Human Ecology. All Rights Reserved.
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