Academic Self-Description Questionnaire (ASDQ)

Instruments

The Academic Self-Description Questionnaire tests students' academic self-concept, as described by the model put forth by Marsh/Shavelson. Seeking information on self-concept by academic subject and grade, this questionnaire uses a 6-item self-concept scale for different subjects. Each item is measured on a 6-point Likert scale.Two forms of the questionnaire have been developed. The Academic Self-Description Questionnaire (ASDQ-1) is used with Grades 5-6 ad focuses on 12 subjects: Spelling, Reading, Handwriting, Social Studies, Computer Studies, Science, Mathematics, Physical Education, Art

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Role Model Videos

Publication

Through these role model videos, professionals' real world views and application of math show high school students just how relevant math is to their futures. Filmed on location, professionals tell students about how they use math in their careers and what math meant to them in high school. The role model videos are an important aspect of the"Scaling Up STEM Learning with the VCL" model. Teacher participants in this ITEST project were required to screen videos from this resource and engage their students in discussion about real world use of math and potential interest in STEM occupations. The

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Give girls a chance: building a bridge to science and technology

News

In Oakland, California, a team of teachers, professional men and women, and educators from the Chabot Space and Science Center are actively engaged in encouraging girls and young women in math, science, and technology. The Techbridge program provides hands-on opportunities for girls in elementary school through high school to explore these key areas and for teachers to participate in subject-specific professional-development opportunities.

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Science students get stars in their eyes

News

The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, built in 2000 and named for the late West Virginia senator, is the world's largest fully steerable telescope. Its 100-meter-wide surface area gives it the ability to pick up extremely faint signals from the distant reaches of space. But in 2007, the 16-million-pound telescope was frozen in position. For 2 1/2 months, the telescope recorded data from 70,000 "pointings" that no astronomer had asked for. It

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Program stitches together STEM, fashion design

News

The ITEST Project, Smart Clothing, Smart Girls, summer program was recently featured in the Cornell Chronicle. “We did a test on LED lights to see how we could design them in our garments, and we’ve tested polymers for knee protection for impact,” said Grace Ebert, a ninth grade 4-Her from Ontario County, describing the singer’s apparel needs.Read on to learn more about how the girls used their STEM skills to create fashion designs fom pop-stars

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A Learner-Centered Design Method for Educational Technology

Publication

This paper aims to share EDC’s learnings from developing and implementing this method including addressing issues of trust between youth and adult team members, appropriately acknowledging youth contributions, balancing the roles of mentors and adult design partners, and making dynamic curriculum adjustments based on participants learning styles and skill levels.

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Reversing the Swing from Science: Implications from a Century of Research

Publication

For at least the past 100 years science educators have been concerned about how best to encourage children’s natural interests in science; but the problem of waning interest through the middle school and high school years persists. Research on how best to maintain interest in what is now more broadly conceived of as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is more important than ever. These studies can be categorized as deductive research that begin with theories of action and lead to interventions to be tested; or inductive studies that begin with existing programs, and lead

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Building Engagement With Technology-Enhanced Local Learning

Publication

Drawing on a multi-year research and development program, the authors report on the promise of integrating locally-focused student investigations with ubiquitous access to advanced technologies. By doing this, students are better able to see the relevance of STEM skills and knowledge as they work to improve their local communities. Specific program examples cited show the paradigm as it has been implemented with upper elementary and middle school students. Contrasting examples show challenges in implementation. A four-part framework of essential program elements is offered to guide further

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