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The Memphis Virtual STEM Academy at East High School

Sat, April 18, 10:35am to 12:05pm, Sheraton, Floor: Second Level, Superior A

Abstract

The Memphis Virtual STEM Academy project investigates the implementation of a virtual STEM curriculum that provides students with self-paced modules, face-to-face STEM laboratory projects, and field experiences designed to help students understand pre-engineering concepts and principles. This strategy provides high quality STEM educational opportunities to diverse populations of students attending high schools that are unable to offer an equivalent program of study due to inadequate laboratory facilities and/or the absence of high quality STEM teachers. This strategy is also unique from the standpoint that it draws from the experiences of a team of engineers-turned-educators and provides them with innovative opportunities to collectively implement a virtual STEM curriculum and design/implement STEM laboratory and field experiences for high school students.

The model for the Memphis Virtual STEM Academy is based upon all three types of STEM-focused schools identified by the National Research Council in its 2011 report, Successful K-12 STEM Education: selective STEM schools, inclusive STEM schools, and schools with STEM-focused career and technical education (CTE). Although this particular model was developed to address specific place-based challenges, it holds broad promise for offering a cost-effective solution for providing high quality STEM opportunities for students in large, urban school districts and perhaps rural districts that have similar needs for high quality STEM teachers and up-to-date laboratory facilities.

The goal of the Virtual STEM Academy is to design, implement, and evaluate an intervention that supports student engagement in authentic, relevant experiences that reflect the skills, knowledge, and practices represented in the STEM and ICT workforce and motivates students to pursue STEM and ICT career trajectories. To accomplish this goal, the project is focused on accomplishing the following objectives:

Objective 1: To increase Virtual STEM Academy students’ use and integration of technology into their learning experiences, as measured by laboratory observation and quality of student projects

Objective 2: To increase Virtual STEM Academy students’ STEM learning as compared to students in other district STEM-focused programs, as measured by performance on online program assessments, STEM subject grades, end-of-course tests, and ACT scores

Objective 3: To decrease gaps in achievement and technical skills among student populations by gender, racial/ethnic background and economic level, as measured by subgroup analysis of end-of-course tests, technology skills assessments and ACT results

Objective 4: To increase Virtual STEM Academy students’ STEM career awareness and interest, as measured by the Science Motivation Questionnaire II © 2011 Shawn M. Glynn, designated as an ITEST Learning Resource
As the Program Outcomes are achieved, it is anticipated that the Memphis Virtual STEM Academy at East High School will become a model program in urban STEM education for increasing student access to advanced level courses in STEM, retaining those students in STEM programs of study, enhancing student interest in STEM and STEM-related careers, and preparing those students for success in STEM majors and careers.

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