High School Research Initiative Expansion Project

University Of Texas At Austin, Austin TX

Investigators

Abstract

Rural students and teachers are far from universities, have fewer resources, and most students are not attending college. Texas includes more schools in rural areas than any other state (36% [4]), and these rural Texans have low enrollment into higher education (29% [5]). In a region spanning the size of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and North Carolina combined [2], Texas has its unique challenges in STEM education and college enrollment. Now, when teachers and students demand action, it is the time to reach this audience. The University of Texas at Austin High School Research Initiative (HRI) Expansion Project seeks to enhance educational science resources, teacher training, and a community of higher ed and high school educators to promote a highly skilled health science workforce. The HRI Expansion Project builds on the original program’s infrastructure and leverages two nationally recognized models: The Freshman Research Initiative (FRI) and UTeach. FRI is an ambitious program that involves 1000+ freshmen and sophomores participating in rigorous research experiences while receiving course credit. UTeach prepares pre-service and in-service STEM teachers; the UTeach Professional Development program has a proven track record of recruiting rural teachers for training opportunities [13]. The HRI Extension Project will apply effective practices to new programming designed to rural Texas challenges, encouraging more rural students to pursue higher education and health sciences careers. It will (1) deliver inquiry-driven science modules based on R1 university research to ≥300 students/yr (7 modules over 5 yrs), (2) develop a robust yearlong professional development organization for ≥ 15 high school teachers/year, including a 4-week remote training steeped with content and ongoing support, (3) connect UT faculty, undergraduate mentors, and rural teachers to support instruction and share research experiences, and (4) assess the impact on students’ knowledge and skills, attitudes towards science, enrollment in higher education, mentoring skills, and science communication skills. The HRI Expansion Project a aims to move the needle in rural science education and strengthen the future health science workforce.