Revitalizing Achievement by Using Instrumentation in Science Education (RAISE), a GK-12 Fellows Project
Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education & Practice
Volume 138, Issue 1
Abstract
Revitalizing Achievement by using Instrumentation in Science Education (RAISE) was a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded project in which undergraduate and graduate engineering students (fellows) assisted high school science teachers with sensor-based experiments as lab exercises to expand on concepts taught in the classroom. By using sensors and computerized data acquisition, the RAISE project sought to enhance students’ academic achievement; excite them about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); and inspire them to pursue STEM careers. Fellows assisted the teachers in presenting the lab experiments and helped students to understand the lab assignments. Despite difficulties in establishing appropriate baseline grades and comparison groups, analysis of available test scores of students involved in the RAISE versus non-RAISE classes indicates that (1) a slightly larger percentage of RAISE project students took standardized exams; (2) a larger percentage of RAISE project students passed the exams; and (3) the average grade attained by RAISE project students is slightly higher. Moreover, responses of high school students and their teachers to project evaluation questionnaires suggest that the RAISE project had some positive effects. The high school teachers were generally supportive of the project, found the fellows helpful in a variety of ways, and rated the sensor-based lab exercises as effective. The majority of teachers recommend participation in the project to other teachers. Fellows also recommend the project to other university students. They generally found the project a rewarding experience that helped them in developing their own science skills and most would be interested in continuing the experience.
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Acknowledgments
The RAISE project was supported by NSF GK-12 Fellows Program Grant No. NSFDGE-0337668. Continued NSF support through grant NSFDGE-0741714 is gratefully acknowledged. Significant financial support for the acquisitions instrumentation kits was provided by NYU-Poly. We are grateful to the late Dr. Noel Kriftcher for serving as Co-PI and to Dr. Jack Victor for carrying out the project assessment.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education & Practice
Volume 138 • Issue 1 • January 2012
Pages: 62 - 72
Copyright
© 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 23, 2010
Accepted: Jun 3, 2011
Published online: Jun 6, 2011
Published in print: Jan 1, 2012
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