ERIC Number: EJ930143
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1528-5804
EISSN: N/A
Increasing Student Interest and Attitudes in STEM: Professional Development and Activities to Engage and Inspire Learners
Hayden, Katherine; Ouyang, Youwen; Scinski, Lidia; Olszewski, Brandon; Bielefeldt, Talbot
Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education (CITE Journal), v11 n1 p47-69 2011
The iQUEST (investigations for Quality Understanding and Engagement for Students and Teachers) project is designed to promote student interest and attitudes toward careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The project targets seventh- and eighth-grade science classrooms that serve high percentages of Hispanic students. The project design, student summer camp program, and professional development model have led to successful increases in student performance. The iQUEST student summer camp findings show that underserved populations of both female and male students experienced increased interest and attitudes toward science and technology. The iQUEST professional development model seeks to transform middle school science teachers from digital immigrants to advocates for technology being a critical part of student learning through integration of innovative technology experiences in formal science settings. Classroom observations illustrate how teachers have successfully implemented lessons that engage students in hands-on investigations, leading to deeper understanding of science and, therefore improving the potential of underrepresented students competing in STEM fields. (Contains 5 online resources, 6 tables and 10 figures.)
Descriptors: Inquiry, Student Interests, Science Teachers, Inservice Teacher Education, Federal Aid, Gender Differences, Hands on Science, Disproportionate Representation, STEM Education, Career Choice, Scientific Attitudes, Hispanic American Students, Summer Programs, Middle School Students, Middle School Teachers, Science Instruction, Student Attitudes, Program Descriptions, Program Effectiveness, Instructional Effectiveness, Educational Technology, Computer Assisted Instruction, Surveys, Science Careers, Technology Integration, Observation, Program Evaluation
Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education. P.O. Box 1545, Chesapeake, VA 23327. Tel: 757-366-5606; Fax: 703-997-8760; e-mail: business@aace.org; Web site: http://www.aace.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education; Grade 7; Grade 8; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Test of Science Related Attitudes
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A