We evaluate the extent to which ePortfolios can be used to assess applied and collaborative learning and academic identity among community college students from underrepresented minority groups who participated in a summer research program. Thirty-eight students were evaluated by their research sponsor and two or three naïve faculty evaluators.…

The purpose of this three-year study was to examine secondary school students' attitudes about science in classrooms with "resident scientists" who had been trained in inquiry science teaching. The study was based upon a National Science Foundation (NSF) program called Project Flowing Waters, a five-year NSF Graduate STEM Fellows in K-12…

Students seek unique experiences to obtain and enhance professional development skills and to prepare for future careers. Through the Let's Talk Science Partnership Program (LTSPP), a voluntary science outreach program at University of Toronto Scarborough, students are given the opportunity to continually improve on skills which include: the…

In 2006 4-H National Headquarters at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National 4-H Council introduced a new initiative aimed at increasing the number and quality of science, engineering, and technology programs that 4-H offers around the country, and increasing the number of youth involved in these programs. By engaging youth in informal…

This report was requested by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA), Office of Education in July 2009 to evaluate the Informal Education Program. The goals of the evaluation were twofold: (1) to gain insight into its investment in informal education; and (2) to clarify existing distinctions between its informal education…

The Texas statewide assessment of academic skills in 1997 indicated that >55 % of the student population failed to master the mathematics objectives set by the test criteria and 42 % of the mathematics teachers at the secondary level in the East Texas region were categorized as underqualified to teach mathematics at that level. The issue of…

California's public schools have struggled since the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, and today face enormous challenges to try to regain lost quality and standing as a national education leader. In light of the current economic crisis, competition for limited resources is fierce and the pressure is on to eliminate all but the basic "Three…

E-learning has become a mainstream educational opportunity, as noted in "U.S. News & World Report." Further, differences among college students have been documented in various disciplines. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of network latency on pedagogical efficacy based on the students who were classified as in…

The document contains the evaluation report on the Gifted Science Project in Montgomery County, Maryland, a program to identify resources for students in grades 3-8 who are motivated in science. The Project's primary product is a Project Resource File (PRF) listing people, places, and published materials that can be used by individual students. An…

Informal science programs play an important role in reinforcing the fact that science and mathematics are not difficult to master. This report is based on a survey of informal science programs supported by the National Science Foundation and exemplary programs in science and mathematics supported by the U.S. Department of Education. The survey…

Surveys of curriculum changes of (n=163) colleges and universities offering 4-year undergraduate programs in geology found that 77% revised their major geology programs in the previous 3 years and 74% reported that the greatest incentive for change was concern about pedagogy. Includes survey. (MKR)

Many educators advocate the use of projects in the science classroom. This document describes an effort (LabNet) that has successfully implemented a program that allows students to learn science using projects. Chapter 1, "An Introduction to LabNet" (Richard Ruopp, Megham Pfister), provides an initial framework for understanding the…

This booklet describes PACE (Promoting Academic Excellence in Mathematics, Science & Technology for Workers of the 21st Century), an Eisenhower Math and Science Education project, and presents an evaluation of the program. PACE seeks to improve learning opportunities and achievement in mathematics and science for students in target schools…

It has long been known that science centers and other science-rich institutions provide families, youths, and the entire public with rich out-of-school science education experiences. This report describes a survey designed to document the manner and extent to which science-rich institutions are helping schools and teachers in strengthening their…

This publication on science education programs is the second in a three-part series of reports that summarizes the results of the Association of Science-Technology Centers' (ASTC) Science Center Survey, conducted among nearly 200 science museums and science centers in 1987. Reports on exhibits and on administration and finance comprise the rest of…