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Project Descriptions

ISE Research: Contextualizing Science Learning and Motivation in Rural and Indigenous Adolescents through Mapping Sustainable Practices

September 15, 2012 - August 31, 2015 | Public Programs
ISE Research: Contextualizing Science Learning and Motivation in Rural and Indigenous Adolescents through Mapping Sustainable Practices is a three-year interdisciplinary research project. Researchers from the University of New Hampshire will investigate impacts of contextualization on science learning, motivation, and positive attitudes toward science of early adolescents from rural and Indigenous populations. The project will yield research findings that can help identify contextualization as a means to engage rural and Indigenous adolescents. The project team uses a systematic approach that incorporates mixed methods of data collection and analysis to learn more about how culture and community (contextualization) impact STEM learning. They hypothesize that contextualizing science learning to culture and community will enhance rural majority and Indigenous early adolescents' science knowledge and positively strengthen motivation and attitudes toward science. Local community and Indigenous group members provide expertise that contributes to the design of the research and the related curriculum as well as the interpretation of the findings. This project will contribute to what we know about how underserved and underrepresented youth engage in STEM learning in relation to their world views. This work will help advance the informal science education field in terms of providing rigorous evidence that can inform theory on learning and motivation among disadvantaged STEM learners as well as address practical issues around the design of STEM programs for rural and Indigenous groups.

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 1223703
Funding Amount: 1199480

TEAM MEMBERS

  • REVISE logo
    Principal Investigator
    University of New Hampshire
  • Thomas Kelly
    Co-Principal Investigator
    University of New Hampshire
  • Lisa Townson
    Co-Principal Investigator
    University of New Hampshire
  • Ruth Varner
    Co-Principal Investigator
    University of New Hampshire
  • Michael Middleton
    Co-Principal Investigator
    University of New Hampshire
  • Discipline: Education and learning science | General STEM
    Audience: Middle School Children (11-13) | Museum/ISE Professionals | Evaluators
    Environment Type: Public Programs | Community Outreach Programs
    Access and Inclusion: Rural

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