- Year 2016
- NSF Noyce Award # 1439626
- First Name Amy
- Last Name Camardese
- Discipline Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics
- Co-PI(s)
Karen Resendes, Westminster College, resendkk@westminster.edu
- Presenters
Amy Camardese, Westminster College, camardah@westminster.edu
David McCullough, Westminster College, mccodf22@wclive.westminster.edu
Need
IQ STEM provides a complete circle of information, guidance, and professional development for Noyce Scholars and practicing STEM educators. Four school districts classified as under-performing are partnered with Westminster College to: (a) host Noyce Scholars in practicums and (b) participate in a summer workshop that includes Noyce Scholars, STEM educators from partner school districts, and Westminster STEM faculty. Noyce Scholars benefit from direct contact with students in under-performing schools and the benefit of mentor educators. Partner School Districts benefit from professional development provided via the IQSTEM Summer workshop.
Goals
Goals include:
1. Increasing the number of STEM educators in Western Pennsylvania
; and 2. Providing professional development for partner schools identified as under-performing; and 3. Increasing the test scores of students in under-performing partner schools
Approach
1. A new course, Teaching in Areas of High Need was developed
2. Noyce Scholars are embedded in practicums in partner schools
3. A summer workshop for partner schools, Noyce Scholars, and Westminster
College STEM faculty has been developed
4. Four Westminster STEM faculty serve as mentors to Noyce Scholars
5. Individuals involved: Noyce Scholars, Westminster STEM faculty, educators and
administrators from partner schools
Outcomes
Key Outcomes:
1.) Increasing awareness of minority populations
2.) Finding the benefits of providing Noyce Scholars experiences in underperforming
schools
3.) Providing continual and constant information to Noyce Scholars as outlined by our
outside evaluator.
4.) Embedding cultural awareness in coursework
Broader Impacts
Broader Impacts include:
1.) Strengthen the relationship between under-served school districts and Westminster College
2.) Improving STEM test scores of students in under-served school districts.
3.) Brochures are distributed via the Admissions office.
4.) Westminster website promotes the IQ STEM grant.
5. ) Information is shared with partner school districts