- Year 2016
- NSF Noyce Award # 1340042
- First Name Jessica
- Last Name Krim
- Discipline Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Space Science
- Co-PI(s)
Kelly Barry, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, kbarry@siue.edu
Sharon Locke, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, slocke@siue.edu
Sue Wiediger, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, swiedig@siue.edu - Presenters
Jessica Krim, SIUE, jkrim@siue.edu
Kelly Barry, SIUE, kbarry@siue.edu
Need
This project addresses the need in southern Illinois to provide quality science and math educators to high-needs rural and urban communities in the region. Benefits are experienced by the pre-service teachers involved in the program, the mentor teachers involved, the children taught, and the communities where graduates begin their careers.
Goals
Goals: 1) recruit and graduate up to 36 highly qualified STEM students that demonstrate an aptitude for teaching, 2) provide these students with an enhanced experience in STEM education and research, 3) supply high-needs middle and high schools with exemplary science educators, 4) increase outreach in the communities of southwestern Illinois, and 5) disseminate project findings for use in other STEM education settings.
Key Activities: 1) intensive teaching experience, 2) internship reflections, 3) monthly seminars, and 4) alumni summer workshop
Approach
The goals of the project are being achieved through the key activities which are firmly based in a self-efficacy framework, including mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, social persuasion, and physiological state. Faculty and mentor teachers are involved.
Outcomes
Intensive Teaching Experience – valuable as a ‘just in time’ measure for our students. Internship reflections prompt interns to delve deeply into thinking critically about their experience. Monthly seminars led by mentor teachers provide an environment in which a professional learning community has been established. Alumni summer workshops bring together graduated scholars for additional professional development, networking, and continuation of the professional learning community.
Broader Impacts
Broader impacts include 1) developing and evaluating a STEM teacher preparation program suited to the needs of southwestern Illinois, 2) preparing and supporting STEM educators in high-needs secondary schools, and 3) engaging middle and high school students in STEM and STEM careers. The impact of this project include cooperating teachers, scholars, mentor teachers, schoolchildren, and communities in which these scholars work. When scholars enter schools as pre-service or inservice teachers, they are equipped and ready to be learners, leaders, and have critical conversations about education in the STEM areas. Dissemination has occurred through presentations at the National Noyce Summit, Illinois State Academy of Science, American Chemical Society, and Midwest Noyce Conferences, as well as our website.
