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Abstract Detail


The fruitful outcome of graduate student-designed curricula: research modules, publishing opportunities, and outreach inspired by the NSF’s Graduate STEM Fellows in K-12 Education (GK-12) Program

Meyer, Rachel [1], Loizides, Lauren [2].

One hundred researchable questions sprouting in NYC parks.

Many graduate students in the biological sciences will have several teaching opportunities over the course of their programs. Involving graduate students in designing teaching modules is beneficial (though sometimes unrealized) to their research, publications, and professional experiences. The City University of New York NSF GK-12 Program is designed to maximize benefits to graduate students as well as partnering institutions. Through the program, graduate students work under the guidance of teachers to develop and teach elementary and secondary-level curricula inspired by one’s own scientific research experiences. Working collaboratively, the graduate student and teacher share their expertise and apply novel approaches to science education. This is a unique opportunity for graduate students to hone skills in teaching and communication, and to develop publications, unique local educational programs, and future research projects.

Here, we present a curriculum that was developed and pilot tested in high school science classes as part of the GK-12 program. The curriculum theme is on generating researchable questions, collecting data, and communicating results by means of nature journaling and documentary-making. Originally part of an Environmental Science class, this inquiry-based module can be applied to any class within the natural sciences. The curriculum is now being packaged to become a College Now course, which will be implemented by other teachers across New York City in after-school programs. Further, the curriculum is being used for science education research: we have collected data on how it has transformed student inquiry skills and attitudes toward science and nature. In this presentation, we will share strategies to maximize the applications (i.e. new educational programs and publications) as well as the benefits pertinent to professional development that can stem from new curricula.

Broader Impacts:


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Related Links:
CUNY GK-12 website


1 - The City University of New York Graduate Center, Biology, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, United States
2 - Baruch College Campus High School, 55 East 25th Street, New York, NY, 10010, United States

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: SY08
Location: Forsyth Room/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
Time: 1:45 PM
Number: SY08001
Abstract ID:88


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