Small Partnership, Big Rewards: Strengthening STEM in Underserved Communities

In 2006 the National Academies recognized a need within the United States to increase higher education graduates in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Its recommendations included improving K-12 science and mathematics education; improving teachers’ skills through additional training; and increasing the number of students prepared to enter college and graduate with STEM degrees. These programs are particularly valuable in underserved schools but also challenging to implement.  In 2010 the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) began a collaborative program focusing on strengthening STEM curricula at middle and high schools in underserved communities. This program, which is supported through a National Science Foundation CAREER grant, uses a marine robotics theme for introducing students to applications of STEM concepts including using the scientific method for investigation of natural phenomena, designing robotic platforms for mission specific tasks, and making measurements in complex environments. This program uses of an array of techniques that include teacher professional development; providing classrooms with robotic kits; developing and integrating hands-on robotics curricula; videoconferences between students and the WHOI researchers on research expeditions; annual field trips for teacher-led student groups from schools to WHOI, and hands-on classroom presentations that introduce basic engineering concepts. 

We present an overview of this program along with an assessment of the results with details describing how the program has evolved over the past two years to better meet student needs. Our analysis focuses primarily on efforts within the Chester Upland School District located in the metropolitan area of Philadelphia. Student demographics of the school district are 90% African-American and 7% Hispanic. Approximately 21% of the students have an Individualized Education Plan.  This financially distressed district ranks 516 of 545 school districts in Pennsylvania and has a graduation rate of 50%.

The substantial resource challenges faced by teachers and students within the Chester Upland School District have led us to adapt and expand the original program to seek additional support and more than double the number of participating students. To date over 130 students from the Chester Upland School District have participated in the program. Program activities have also evolved to emphasize extra-curricular activities that strengthen student connections with professional scientists as role-models, participation in real-world scientific research, and exposure to marine environments.  These activities are intended to increase the academic performance of these students, and to encourage them to explore their interests in STEM professions. Feedback from student assessments indicate that these extra-curricular activities are effective in building student self confidence and positive attitudes toward STEM subjects.