PROJECT DATE AUDIENCE August 17, 2013MSP CONFERENCE The Re 2 -FoCUS Initiative: A Math and Science Partnership focused on middle school engineering

WHAT IS RE 2 -FoCUS? Robotics and Engineering Education – Fostering the Conceptual Understanding of Science Math and Science Partnership grant implemented through AMSTI 3-year statewide Professional Development of middle school math and science teachers Year 1: Engineering Design Process training using STEM Teaching Kits Years 2 & 3 (upcoming) : Robotics training

K-12 Engineering Education RE 2 -FoCUS Overarching Goal Stimulate project-based STEM education throughout the state

RE 2 -FoCUS Initiative Goals….. Goal 1 – Provide professional development through AMSTI, BEST Robotics, and STEM faculty that trains and supports middle school teachers how to incorporate engineering and robotics education into STEM-centered activities and programs. Goal 2 – Improve middle school teachers’ knowledge, confidence and ability to apply science and math content to engineering design challenges. Goal 3 – Positively impact middle school students’ knowledge, attitudes, and interest in STEM-related courses, activities and careers.

Logistics/Impact 10 of 11 AMSTI sites participating 8 of 11 sites have completed PD 130 teachers trained in summer 2013 ~ 30 more teachers will be trained this fall ~ 4,480 students impacted in Year 1

Save the Animals STEM Teaching Kits (STK) Module 1: Save the Penguins STK Concepts: Mechanisms of heat transfer, insulation, energy efficiency Engineering challenge: design and build insulated ‘penguin’ houses

Save the Animals STEM Teaching Kits (STK) Module 2: Save the Seabirds STK Concepts: Energy, force, motion, torque, motors Engineering challenge: design and build solar powered mass transportation vehicle

RESEARCH QUESTIONS – YEAR 1 1. How did the PD impact teachers’ and trainers’ attitudes toward engineering and self-efficacy to teach engineering? 1. How did the PD impact teachers’ and trainers’ science content knowledge? 1. What effect did the fidelity of implementation have on the success of teacher workshops?

PRELIMINARY RESULTS

ENGINEERING ATTITUDES Survey instrument– Attitudes Toward Engineering (Schnittka, 2009) 11 question, Likert-scale (1 to 5) Sample questions: 1. Engineers spend relatively little time dealing with other people. 2. Engineering skills are useful in everyday life. 3. To be a good engineer requires an IQ in the genius range. 4. I would consider recommending a career in engineering to my students.

SELF-EFFICACY Survey instrument– Teaching Engineering Self-efficacy Scale (Yoon, Evans, & Strobel, 2012) 23 question, Likert-scale (1 to 6) Sample questions: 1. I can discuss how engineering is connected to my daily life. 2. I can employ engineering activities in my classroom effectively. 3. I can assess my students’ engineering products. 4. My effectiveness in engineering teaching can influence the achievement of students with low motivation.

SCIENCE CONTENT KNOWLEDGE - HEAT TRANSFER Survey instrument– Heat Transfer Evaluation (Schnittka, 2009b) 12 question, multiple choice Sample questions: 1. Why do we wear sweaters in cold weather? 2. On a sunny day, the upstairs rooms in a house are usually hotter than the downstairs rooms. Why? 3. If you put a metal spoon and a wooden spoon into a pot of boiling water, one will become too hot to touch. Why?

SCIENCE CONTENT KNOWLEDGE – Force, Motion and Energy Survey instrument– Force, Motion, and Energy Evaluation (Schnittka, in review) 17 question, multiple choice Sample questions: 1. What is the best definition of energy? 2. Would a solar cell be useful in a cold, cloudy place? 3. How does gasoline make a car engine run? 4. What is the purpose of having gears in a machine?

ON-GOING RESEARCH EFFORTS Effect of trainer on fidelity of curriculum implementation Engineering attitudes of students Teacher self-efficacy and attitudes after implementing curriculum in classroom iBook curriculum resource

RE 2 -FoCUS: Years 2 & 3 48 teachers will attend one-week robotics training each summer (96 total) Robotics design, construction, operation, computer programming (VEX Robotics) Math and science concepts related to robotics function

QUESTIONS? Dr. Christine Schnittka – AU Dept. of Curriculum & Teaching Dr. Allen Landers - AU Physics Dept. Mary Lou Ewald – AU Science and Math Outreach