Osu K 12 Program For The Enhancement Of Science And Engineering Education In Oregon Schools
Year: 2020
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: The goal of the NSF funded OSU GK-12 project is to facilitate the development of active science learning and to enhance the delivery of science education (defined here as education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics or STEM) in Oregon schools.Graduate students pursuing degrees in engineering and science disciplines serve as Fellows (14 per year) in one of nine schools in three school districts: Portland (a large city setting); Corvallis (a University town setting); and Lincoln County (a dispersed rural district).The multidisciplinary approach includes five graduate programs (Molecular and Cellular Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Bioengineering, and Chemical Engineering).Fellows receive formal education training in the summer, spend 6 months (15 hrs per week) in schools as "adopted scientists" in grades K-6 or "teaching assistants" in grades 7-12, and then finish their year in extended outreach activities throughout Oregon.The benefits to the schools are the participation of motivated, knowledgeable, and trained Fellows to work with teachers to develop new and exciting programs in areas of current research interest to enhance STEM education in K-12 schools.The GK-12 project improves and solidifies the connection between higher education and the public schools, establishes a "pipeline" to schools with populations of students underrepresented in the University, and develops a cadre of experienced Fellows with a lifelong commitment to science and engineering education outreach Introduction: Goals and ObjectivesThe overall goal of the OSU GK-12 outreach project is to facilitate the development of active science learning in public schools.The program is just completing its third year of funding through a grant from the NSF Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE 9979507; Arp, PI).NSF Fellows (14 graduate fellows per year) supported through this program play a critical role in reaching our goal.They join Departmental Liaisons, Outreach Coordinators and GK-12 Teachers (one for each Fellow) in a project designed to enhance the delivery of science education (defined here as education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics or STEM) in the public schools.Our efforts focus on eleven target schools (K-12) in three school districts in Oregon.
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--11936
Institutions: Oregon State University, The Ohio State University
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2729508917