NCDC219: Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Mathematics, and Social Sciences (STEAMSS) Learning
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
NCDC219: Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Mathematics, and Social Sciences (STEAMSS) Learning
Duration: 04/01/2009 to 09/30/2011
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
We wish to request the formation of a NCDC writing committee to prepare a multi-state research proposal to address science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) Learning in the Agricultural and Life Sciences. The current K-16 educational system, broadly-defined, is not engaging students to think critically and solve real-world problems. Furthermore, the process of authentic learning and assessment is not being implemented in the K-16 educational system, and many students are not learning basic science and math concepts. Authentic learning experiences in the life sciences provide students opportunities to see the relevance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and can motivate them to apply knowledge in the animal, plant, food and environmental sciences.
In 1998, the Board on Agriculture published Agriculture's Role in K-12 Education: Proceedings of a Forum on the National Science Education Standards. The Board made a strong argument for a scientifically literate population. Agricultural scientists can play a role in K-12 education. Food, plants, animals and natural resources can provide a context to motivate and engage students to learn science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This need perhaps is greater today than it was in the early decades of the land-grant university. Food safety, obesity, bio-energy, and global climate change are just a few grand challenges we face in the 21st century.
Increasing the number of students who pursue STEM majors (including agricultural sciences) and careers addresses the growing concern about the U.S. workforce being competitive in the global marketplace of ideas in the sciences and engineering. The Rising Above the Gathering Storm report elevates the concern that America may not be competitive in the global market place and argues that an educated, innovative, motivated workforcehuman capitalis the most precious resource of any country in this new, flat world .
To address this need, three faculty from Purdue University (Neil Knobloch), Ohio State University (Jamie Cano), and University of Kentucky (Bryan Hains), have met to discuss how they could collaboratively address the problem. The three faculty, each with complementary research in the areas of mind-brain education, multi-modal learning, motivation, and authentic assessment, and each with an expertise in teaching methodologies, would comprise the core of the writing team. Invitations would be extended to other universities asking interested faculty to join this writing effort to propose a new North Central multi-state research project. The writing team plans to develop a multi-state research proposal that will investigate K-16 student engagement created by empowering educators through authentic learning and assessment in the life sciences, especially those associated with agriculture and natural resources.
The overarching research question they wish to address is, What human capital outcomes do authentic learning experiences create in life science contexts on teachers and students? They anticipate the following research objectives: (1) explore academic environments which promote highest cognition; (2) explore educational opportunities that provide student engagement (cognitive, emotional, behavioral); and (3) explore teaching methodologies that will support student engagement through authentic learning and assessment in life science contexts. The focus will be on creating inclusive and engaging learning experiences for K-16 students and educators to learn concepts and skills in the life sciences for STEM careers.
This development committee plans to meet during the months of May, June, and July of 2009 to write the proposal. Neil Knobloch, Assistant Professor of Youth Development and Agricultural Education at Purdue University, is willing to serve as chair of the writing team.