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Teaching Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) in the Pre-College Classroom as a Vehicle for NGSS Implementation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2017

Nicole Granucci
Affiliation:
Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena (CRISP), Yale University and Southern CT State University, New Haven, CT, United States Department of Physics, Southern CT State University, New Haven, CT, United States Sacred Heart Academy, Science Department, Hamden, CT, United States
Carol Jenkins*
Affiliation:
Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena (CRISP), Yale University and Southern CT State University, New Haven, CT, United States Department of Physics, Southern CT State University, New Haven, CT, United States Office for STEM Innovation and Leadership, Southern CT State University, New Haven, CT, United States
Melanie Bauer
Affiliation:
Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena (CRISP), Yale University and Southern CT State University, New Haven, CT, United States
Ashley L. Gard
Affiliation:
Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena (CRISP), Yale University and Southern CT State University, New Haven, CT, United States
Bryn Pinkerton
Affiliation:
Office for STEM Innovation and Leadership, Southern CT State University, New Haven, CT, United States
Christine Broadbridge
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Southern CT State University, New Haven, CT, United States Office for STEM Innovation and Leadership, Southern CT State University, New Haven, CT, United States Sacred Heart Academy, Science Department, Hamden, CT, United States
*
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Abstract

Adoption of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) into the pre-college classroom is an ideal strategy for addressing Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), specifically the Science and Engineering Practices. MSE offers core science and engineering topics that can be incorporated into existing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematic (STEM) curricula through teaching modules. Using MSE as a teaching vehicle, the Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena (CRISP) conducted a series of small-scale studies of its teacher professional development workshops and a student summer program, along with related teaching modules, in an effort to measure the contribution MSE has on students and K-12 STEM educators. Based on participant survey feedback, CRISP found improvement in students’ MSE knowledge, interests, and career goals. For teachers, in addition to improving their MSE knowledge, they also increased their comfort and confidence in teaching MSE concepts in their classroom. These results provide evidence for the use of MSE modules as productive teaching tools for NGSS Science and Engineering Practices, as well as producing workforce-competitive STEM students.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2017 

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References

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