The fact that inquiry-based science teaching has been defined in various ways makes claims about its effectiveness with students difficult to synthesize. In this meta-analysis, the authors generate a two-dimensional framework to analyze studies of the effectiveness of inquiry-based science instruction in improving student learning outcomes.
Large-scale assessments like PISA are highly influential in policymaking, but they don’t tell us anything about the nature of student learning underpinning the scores. In this study, an additional instrument was administered to students in Finland, Germany, and Switzerland. Finnish students, who score higher on PISA, also scored higher on the second assessment. Findings suggest that Finnish students may have developed more complex knowledge bases in science.
This paper investigates the impact of stereotype threat on young women’s academic achievement in high school physics classes. Stereotype threat is the reinforcement of a negative stereotype. Results show that, although females underperformed when exposed to explicit and implicit stereotype threat conditions, their performance was identical to that of males when stereotypes were nullified.
This poster was presented at the 2016 Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) PI Meeting held in Bethesda, MD on February 29-March 2. Earth Partnership: Indigenous Arts and Sciences (IAS) refines a model for integrating Indigenous and Western STEM education utilizing a 10-step framework for ecological restoration, project-based learning, and professional development. Through community dialogues and a collaborative design process with Native Nations of Wisconsin, Earth Partnership is developing an Indigenous Arts and Sciences approach that has allowed Native participants to voice their insights
This poster was presented at the 2016 Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) PI Meeting held in Bethesda, MD on February 29-March 2. The project's goal is to demonstrate an educational model fully commensurate with the demands of the 21st Century workforce, and more specifically, with the emerging “green-tech” economy.
This poster was presented at the 2016 Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) PI Meeting held in Bethesda, MD on February 29-March 2. This project addresses gaps in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in STEM education by examining contextual factors that influence implementation and practice of STEM programs in underserved communities.
This poster was presented at the 2016 Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) PI Meeting held in Bethesda, MD on February 29-March 2. This Early CAREER project is an integrated research and education project that focuses on formal/informal collaborations and activities for STEM teacher education.
Integrating technology with reformed-based science instruction that facilitates student inquiry can be challenging for teachers. Campbell, Longhurst, Wang, Hsu, and Coster propose a professional development model that helps teachers use the latest technologies to engage students in authentic science practices.
These materials are aimed at practitioners of citizen science who are considering ways to enhance participation and learning in citizen science projects. This emerging work is a collaborative effort among several institutions seeking to integrate elements of science capital and learning research into the practice of citizen science.
This poster was presented at the 2016 Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) PI Meeting held in Bethesda, MD on February 29-March 2. WISE Guys & Gals (WGG) is an Informal STEM program that engages early adolescents (middle school age youth) in innovative and engaging blended (on-line and hands-on) STEM based engineering challenges. WISEngineering, the open source online learning environment, that supports WGG, connects and blends the strengths of virtual design and physical modeling while also facilitating youth collaboration and collection of data for research.
The purpose of the Museum of Science and Industry’s new Teacher Professional Development Series (TPDS) is to improve student performance in science by enhancing their teachers’ science content knowledge, instructional strategies, and museum skills. By combining solid content, hands-on classroom activities, inquiry-based instruction, and tools for a successful Museum visit, the Museum seeks to assist 4th-8th grade teachers who want to help students explore basic science concepts in new and engaging ways.
The major goals for the overall Teacher Professional Development Series are as follows: (1
This presentation from the 2016 NSF Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) Principal Investigators' Meeting presents an overview of the AISL Online Project Monitoring System (OPMS), including a report-out of findings from the data collected from projects funded between FY2006-FY2014.