The Project
Funded by National Science Foundation, the GK-12 project paired individual graduate students with a K-12 teacher for a school year to 1) Enhance graduate students’ skill in communicating science; 2) Equip K-12 teachers with tools to teach STEM topics related to climate change; and 3) Strengthen the pipeline of K-12 students into STEM careers, particularly those from underserved groups.
Our Work
A mixed method evaluation design was used to measure changes in graduate students’, teachers’, and K-12 students’ perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes. Through both formative and summative evaluation reporting, the project’s three main goals were examined using analysis of teacher and graduate student surveys, student interviews, and field observations at summer institutes.
Usefulness of Our Work
We provided evaluation findings that can be used to improve subsequent teacher and graduate student professional development projects.
