It's About Discovery Final Evaluation Report

In August 2009, The Ohio State University at Lima (OSU) received a three-year award from the NSF Division of Research on Learning Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) Program for It's About Discovery (IAD). IAD was a partnership between OSU Lima, the University of North Carolina Greensboro, and regional rural schools in Northwest Ohio and North Carolina that equipped teachers to teach new Ford Partnership for Advanced Study (PAS) science curriculum, focused on the theme of Working Towards Sustainability. Ford PAS is focused on transforming teaching and learning by preparing students for college and careers with a combination of academic knowledge and 21st century skills. The target audience for the project was 8th to 10th grade students and teachers in rural districts in Ohio and one high poverty rural district in North Carolina. In March 2010, OSU Lima contracted with Goodman Research Group, Inc.(GRG) to conduct a three-year external summative evaluation of It's About Discovery. GRG's evaluation questions were: 1. To what extent does involvement in IAD change participating students' Knowledge of, attitudes towards, and motivations to pursue STEM-related careers?, Related science content knowledge?, Knowledge of and attitudes towards STEM workforce skills, including attitudes about ICT? 2. To what extent does involvement in IAD change participating teachers': Knowledge of STEM content and STEM careers?, Knowledge of relevant pedagogy (e.g., inquiry-based methods)?, Attitudes towards teaching about STEM careers and ICT?,

If you would like to edit a resource, please email us to submit your request.