T1-B: Developing K-5 Engineering Educators through Authentic Experiences in a Research Laboratory
Start Date
5-3-2018 10:00 AM
Description
The University of Florida Multidisciplinary Research Experiences for Teachers (MRET) is a 3- year program bringing together engineering research scientists, K-5 teachers, and industry professionals with the goal to increase interest in and preparation for STEM careers through the incorporation of STEM concepts, practices, and role models into elementary classrooms. MRET includes four elements that are designed to heighten participating teachers’ STEM awareness and expertise: (1) 6-weeks of immersive research experience; (2) curriculum development led by an education expert; (3) exposure to STEM careers through seminars and field trips led by industry professionals; and (4) engineering researcher involvement during curriculum development and implementation. This year-one evaluation is focused on the research question: What elements of the research experience support the project’s goals? and involved a mixed method approach to understanding the experience of six participating elementary teachers and six engineering graduate students who worked together as protégé-mentors in each of three different laboratories.
T1-B: Developing K-5 Engineering Educators through Authentic Experiences in a Research Laboratory
The University of Florida Multidisciplinary Research Experiences for Teachers (MRET) is a 3- year program bringing together engineering research scientists, K-5 teachers, and industry professionals with the goal to increase interest in and preparation for STEM careers through the incorporation of STEM concepts, practices, and role models into elementary classrooms. MRET includes four elements that are designed to heighten participating teachers’ STEM awareness and expertise: (1) 6-weeks of immersive research experience; (2) curriculum development led by an education expert; (3) exposure to STEM careers through seminars and field trips led by industry professionals; and (4) engineering researcher involvement during curriculum development and implementation. This year-one evaluation is focused on the research question: What elements of the research experience support the project’s goals? and involved a mixed method approach to understanding the experience of six participating elementary teachers and six engineering graduate students who worked together as protégé-mentors in each of three different laboratories.