1. An Overview of the Howard University GK-12 Project: Interdisciplinary Science for Middle Schools (ISMS) For additional information, please contact: Marcus Alfred Department of Physics and Astronomy Howard University MarAlfred@Howard.edu 202-806-6258 http://gk12.huscience.org Investigators: Marcus Alfred, PhD 1, Gerunda Hughes, PhD 2, Gregory Jenkins, PhD 1, Hemayet Ullah, PhD 3 1 Department of Physics and Astronomy, 2 Department of Curriculum and Instruction, 3 Department of Biology The conceptual focus of the Howard University Gk-12 project recognizes that middle school students Are at an age when many lose a sense of scientific curiosity and excitement (NRC, 2003). Thus, the Student foci of the program is to 1) engage students in hands-on interdisciplinary science activities to Spur their excitement in scientific exploration and 2) through the GK-12 fellows, to provide the middle School students with scientific role models from backgrounds similar to their own. At the same time, The graduate fellow focus of the program will be to provide graduate students in STEM disciplines with Opportunities to improve skills in communication and pedagogy for diverse audiences. ObjectivesMeasurable OutcomesEvaluation Measures Recruit and place graduate students with teachers (~9 students/year) Adequacy and efficiency of recruitment and placement Duration of process, qualification comparisons, surveys of process Enhance GK12 fellows pedagogical skills (2 week summer institute) Enhanced pedagogical skillsObservations, self-assessment, interviews, focus groups Produce a series of modules in STEM fields developed by fellows, teachers & faculty Production of science modulesNumbers of modules, distribution of topics, surveys Increase GK12 fellows ability to communicate technical principles effectively to diverse audiences Increased ability to communicate scientific principles to diverse audiences Observations, evaluation of fellows by teachers, self-assessment, numbers of papers and presentations Increase student interest in science by providing role models from underrepresented backgrounds Increased interest in science by middle school students Surveys, school comparisons, enrollment trends Promote changes to doctoral programs encompassing communication and pedagogical skill development Level or degree of permanent changes in doctoral programs involving communication & pedagogical skills in fellows Progress toward development of credential for training, coordination with School of Education for fellows to present experiences Identify features that contributed most to successes and challenges Efficacy of project activities in accomplishing objectives Execution of formative and summative evaluation procedures Increase content knowledge of teachers through collaborations with fellows and participation in other STEM activities Enhanced content knowledge of GK12 teachers Observations, surveys Award # 0538383 Program partners Howard University: Howard University Charter Middle School for Math and Science Cesar Chavez Public Charter Middle School for Public Policy Howard B. Owens Science Center