- Christine Schnittka
- http://www.auburn.edu/~cgs0013
- Associate Professor
- Studio STEM: Engaging Middle School Students in Networked Science and Engineering Projects
- http://www.studiostem.org
- Auburn University
- Carol Brandt
- http://education.temple.edu/faculty/carol-brandt-phd
- Associate Professor
- Studio STEM: Engaging Middle School Students in Networked Science and Engineering Projects
- http://www.studiostem.org
- Temple University
- Tiffany Drape
- http://www.alce.vt.edu/people/faculty-staff/drape/drape-bio.html
- Senior Research Associate
- Studio STEM: Engaging Middle School Students in Networked Science and Engineering Projects
- http://www.studiostem.org
- Virginia Tech
- Michael Evans
- http://ced.ncsu.edu/user/michael_evans
- Associate Professor
- Studio STEM: Engaging Middle School Students in Networked Science and Engineering Projects
- http://www.studiostem.org
- North Carolina State University, Friday Institute for Educational Innovation
- Brett Jones
- http://www.MotivatingStudents.info
- Professor
- Studio STEM: Engaging Middle School Students in Networked Science and Engineering Projects
- http://www.studiostem.org
- Virginia Tech
- Kathy Placek
- Graduate Assistant
- Studio STEM: Engaging Middle School Students in Networked Science and Engineering Projects
- http://www.studiostem.org
- Auburn University
Public Discussion
Continue the discussion of this presentation on the Multiplex. Go to Multiplex
Lisa Hogan
Technology Integrator
Students seemed very engaged in the real world scenarios coupled with the use of technologies and an inquiry-based learning focus! Were there any challenges you encountered with setting up and running an after school program such as this? The mentors (college students) seemed like an integral part of the program. How often did the mentors meet with the students? Did the mentors always meet in person with students or did they also meet virtually through Edmodo?
Christine Schnittka
Associate Professor
The biggest challenge at one site was consistent attendance. We decided after that to make the curriculum more global, with stations instead of a linear teaching of lessons. That way, if a student missed a week, they would not be behind. Mentors met with students weekly in person. We had to carry them out to the sites in vans because it was quite a ride into the mountains and not all the mentors had cars.
Lisa Hogan
Technology Integrator
The nonlinear lessons makes a lot of sense. From the video I could see students could miss a week and still be able to move on. Thanks for the added information about transporting the mentors to the sites. I live in Maine, also a very rural area. If we were to do something similar we would also have to transport our mentors.
Rosi Andrade
our project also found the benefit of offering mentors scheduled transportation to the school sites from the university campus.
Avron Barr
Consultant
Interesting and nicely designed program. Have you any ideas about who might “adopt” this kind of program and how to support its dissemination?
Christine Schnittka
Associate Professor
Yes. The curriculum is free, and we created iBooks as well, with embedded video to show teachers how to lead the activities. We have packaged kits of materials for those needing a ready-to-use kit. See www.stemteachingkits.com to access those materials.
Elizabeth Hassrick
Research Scientist
Enjoyed the innovation of the units and the interconnected nature of the activities. You mention evidence of learning through nontraditional means. Could you describe this in more detail? Also, how did the Edmodo social networking interface work? It would be great to hear more about how students used their networks to facilitate their learning!
Michael Evans
Associate Professor
Let me point you to a few publications and would be happy to follow up to share more:
Won, S.G., Evans, M.A., Carey, C., & Schnittka, C. (accepted, 2015 publication date). Youth appropriation of social media for collaborative and facilitated design-based learning. To be published in Computers in Human Behavior.
Schnittka, C., Evans, M.A., Won, S.G.L., & Drape, T. (accepted, 2015 publication date). Studio STEM: Looking for learning in all the right places in after-school spaces. To be published in Research in Science Education.
Evans, M.A., Won, S., & Drape, T. (2014). Interest-driven learning of STEM concepts among youth interacting through social media. International Journal of Social Media and Interactive Learning Environments, 2(1), 3-20.
Further posting is closed as the showcase has ended.