Developing Middle School Students' Interests in STEM via Summer Learning Experiences: See Blue STEM Camp

Autor/inn/en	Mohr-Schroeder, Margaret J.; Jackson, Christa; Miller, Maranda; Walcott, Bruce; Little, David L.; Speler, Lydia; Schooler, William; Schroeder, D. Craig
Titel	Developing Middle School Students' Interests in STEM via Summer Learning Experiences: See Blue STEM Camp
Quelle	In: School Science and Mathematics, 114 (2014) 6, S.291-301 (11 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0036-6803
DOI	10.1111/ssm.12079
Schlagwörter	Middle School Students; STEM Education; Summer Science Programs; Hands on Science; Student Attitudes; Scientific Attitudes; Science Careers; Student Interests; Attitude Change; Mixed Methods Research; Attitude Measures + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Middle school; Middle schools; Student; Students; Mittelschule; Mittelstufenschule; Schüler; Schülerin; STEM; Schülerverhalten; Studieninteresse; Attitudinal change; Einstellungsänderung
Abstract	It is a well-known fact that, in general, many students have a lack of interest and proficiency in mathematics and science. Therefore, it is imperative that we prepare and inspire all students, specifically students of underrepresented populations, to learn science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) content. Now in its fourth year, See Blue STEM Camp was created in order to expose middle-level students to a variety of STEM fields and STEM professionals through hands-on project-based learning experiences in order to increase their interest in STEM. This paper describes the structure and the activities of the camp. In this innovative project, we utilized an embedded mixed methods study design to investigate the extent middle level students' attitudes, perceptions, and interest in and toward STEM fields and careers changed after participating in an informal learning environment of a five-day day camp held on the campus of a major university in the mid-south. The results revealed an increase in their motivation and interest in STEM fields; in fact, there was 3% increase from pre to post in interest in STEM careers. The data also revealed that a majority of the participating middle school students found the STEM content sessions "fun" and engaging, specifically citing the hands-on experiences they received. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10