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Evaluating the Impact of Interaction between Middle School Students and Materials Science and Engineering Researchers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2011

Shannon L. Greco  and
Daniel J. Steinberg
Shannon L. Greco
Affiliation:
PCCM, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, U.S.A.
Daniel J. Steinberg
Affiliation:
PCCM, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, U.S.A.
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Abstract

We, as education outreach providers at a research center, believe research scientists and engineers have much to contribute to science education. Our job is to design programs that allow our faculty and students to share their expertise and their stories to positively impact student learning and attitudes towards STEM fields. Is it possible to show that middle school students’ interaction with scientists and engineers makes a positive difference in only one day? The National Science Foundation funded Princeton Center for Complex Materials (PCCM), in partnership with MRS and NOVA, held a large-scale, one-day event for middle school students on January 27, 2011. This study measures the impact of that engagement on the students’ attitudes, contributing to their general attitude towards science and scientists that will ultimately determine their career choices later in life. Among other methods, focus group interviews and pre- and post-event attitude surveys were conducted and analyzed to evaluate the impact of the program.

Keywords

educationgovernment interactionsgovernment policy and funding
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1364: Symposium SS – Forum on Materials Education and Evaluation—K-12, Undergraduate, Graduate and Informal , 2011 , mrss11-1364-ss04-08
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011

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References

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