This GK-12 project supports fellows at the University of Colorado, from the departments of Astrophysics, Environmental Biology, and Chemistry, for educational activities with 6th-8th graders and 9th-10th graders in the Boulder Valley school districts, targeting especially Hispanic populations. Nine graduate students and five advanced undergraduates are supported per year. The themes are adaptation, implementation and enrichment of Full Option Science System (FOSS) modules, a modular approach to teaching elementary school science. The microscopic-macroscopic connection in science (biology and chemistry) is emphasized. Partners include the Sombrero Marsh Nature Center, the Cooperative Institute for Environmental Science, Thorn Ecological Institute and the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. The intellectual merit is evidenced by the unifying focus on environmental issues. Broader impacts are reflected in the nature of the schools, as many include students in groups currently underrepresented in science. This project is partially supported by funds from the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
Project Title: Partners in Science Education: GK-12 Fellows at CU-Boulder Institution: University of Colorado Boulder PI/Co-PI: Veronica Bierbaum, Margaret Asirvatham, Frances Bagenal, Andrew Martin, Lesley Smith Partner School Districts: Boulder Valley Funding: $1,359,348 Number of Fellows/year: 9 graduate, 5 undergraduate Setting: Suburban, Rural Target Audience: Grades 6 to 10 NSF supported disciplines involved: physics, chemistry, biology, geology
