Middle Tennessee State University AYS: Energy, Earth and Civilization

Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro TN

Investigators

Abstract

This project seeks to improve student knowledge and application, attitudes and beliefs, and engagement in science and mathematics. MTSU leads a partnership to provide 150 grade 5-8 students with over 150 hours of out-of-school learning experiences in science and mathematics. Partners include the Discovery Center, the Adventure Center, the Wilderness Station and the Business Education Partnership of the Chamber of Commerce, in support of students from two middle schools and three elementary schools from the city of Murfreesboro and Rutherford and Cannon Counties. The out-of-school learning occurs during the academic year in "Club Neutron" and in the Business Community Classroom Connection (BC3) summer camps. The learning activities are designed to support the Tennessee State standards in science and mathematics. Twenty-four teachers are participating and are receiving 60 hours of professional development from the project. The project has established links to "Expanding Your Horizons" for girls, and to "Parents Actively Connecting Environments (PACE)" for parents. The project is conducting research on the validity of its educational model and underlying theoretical framework by evaluating the effects of the program on the students and teachers.