Evaluating the Impact of Interaction between Middle School Students and Materials Science and Engineering Researchers
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Evaluating the Impact of Interaction between Middle School Students and Materials Science and Engineering Researchers Shannon L. Greco1 and Daniel J. Steinberg1 1 PCCM, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, U.S.A.
ABSTRACT We, as education outreach providers at a research center, believe research scientists and engineers have much to contribute to science education. Our job is to design programs that allow our faculty and students to share their expertise and their stories to positively impact student learning and attitudes towards STEM fields. Is it possible to show that middle school students’ interaction with scientists and engineers makes a positive difference in only one day? The National Science Foundation funded Princeton Center for Complex Materials (PCCM), in partnership with MRS and NOVA, held a large-scale, one-day event for middle school students on January 27, 2011. This study measures the impact of that engagement on the students’ attitudes, contributing to their general attitude towards science and scientists that will ultimately determine their career choices later in life. Among other methods, focus group interviews and pre- and post-event attitude surveys were conducted and analyzed to evaluate the impact of the program. INTRODUCTION The Princeton Center for Complex Materials (PCCM) is a Materials Research Science & Engineering Center funded by the National Science Foundation and Princeton University. PCCM’s education outreach office (consisting of both authors) conducts many different programs to improve science education in the region through the involvement of PCCM’s scientists and engineers, such as the Making Stuff at Princeton events. Making Stuff at Princeton was a new series of education programs, in partnership and with support of PBS NOVA and part of the national Making Stuff coalition that was conducted by PCCM. Two of these programs were studied for their effect on student attitudes. These particular events reached more than 400 middle school students from 7 schools in New Jersey, including five schools from Trenton. The events included free-choice, open learning environments with activity tables, auditorium shows, and lab tours. While the programs were designed by PCCM Education Outreach staff, the table activities, shows, and tours were conducted by scientists and engineers from Princeton University and partner organizations. These volunteers included scientists and engineers from every point along a researcher’s career path, from undergraduates to full professors and industry professionals. The events exposed students to these real scientists and engineers as role models and content experts. Princeton University is located in central New Jersey and less than a 15 minute drive from the city of Trenton, where some of the state’s lowest socio-economic ranked schools are located. The schools served by PCCM span most of the state, with the greatest effort concentrated on Trenton and Asbury Park schools, which are all 95-100% minority students. The percentage of
students who are el
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