ERIC Number: EJ1270007
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0731-9258
EISSN: N/A
Space Public Outreach Team: Successful STEM Engagement on Complex Technical Topics
Des Jardins, Angela; Key, Joey Shapiro; Williamson, Kathryn; Kimbrell, Seth; De Saint-Georges, Sophie; Littenberg, Tyson; Page, Jessica; Dolch, Timothy
Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, v39 n4 p339-359 2020
It is the responsibility of today's scientists, engineers, and educators to inspire and encourage our youth into technical careers that benefit our society. Too often, however, this responsibility is buried beneath daily job demands and the routines of teaching. Space Public Outreach Team (SPOT) programs leverage a train-the-trainer model to empower college students to make meaningful impacts in their local communities by engaging and inspiring younger students through science presentations. SPOT takes advantage of the excitement of space and the natural way college students serve as role models for children. The result is a win-win program for all involved. This paper describes the original Montana SPOT program, presents analyses demonstrating the success of SPOT, gives overviews of program adaptations in West Virginia and with the NANOGrav collaboration, describes how college student presenters are able to share complex topics, and discusses the importance of college student role models. We hope that our experiences with SPOT will help others implement similar strategies in their own communities.
Descriptors: STEM Education, Space Sciences, Outreach Programs, College Students, Role Models, Program Effectiveness, Elementary Secondary Education, Space Exploration
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. P.O. Box 719, Waynesville, NC 28786. Tel: 828-246-9558; Fax: 828-246-9557; e-mail: info@aace.org; Web site: http://www.aace.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Montana; West Virginia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A

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