Fostering Preservice Teachers' Undergraduate Success: A Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program in STEM Education

• In Event: STEM in and Before the Classroom

Abstract

We describe what REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) Fellows reported regarding their experiences within a research-intensive program in STEM Education. Our study employed a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data included a survey to examine Fellows’ program expectations, familiarity with research literature, and ability to conduct statistical analyses pre/post program. We also analyzed qualitative data from the Fellows’ pre-, mid-, and post-evaluation interviews and their final research projects. We discovered significant growth in their confidence levels in studying, conducting, and analyzing research (p<.001). At the end of their nine-month REU teacher education program, Fellows stated they gained skills coding and analyzing data, conducting interviews, using technology, writing, and presenting, but most frequently noted their increase of interpersonal collaborations with other future teachers.

Authors

• Jennifer A. Wilhelm, University of Kentucky

• Molly H. Fisher, University of Kentucky