A Community-Centered STEM Education Activity and Its Impact on High School Students on the Border

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: Attending to Ecosystems and Community in Science Learning

Abstract

In this paper we report the finding of a singular case study examining the impact of a community-centered activity. The activity addressed a real-world problem and provided students with the opportunities to engage with their local community members. As part of an NIH and NSF funded Project, students participated in monthly training sessions throughout the school year to learn about pathogenesis and prevention of the most prevalent diseases. The training sessions prepared the students to conduct health screenings and to provide health promotion information during the final main event of the education activity. Analyses revealed that students find meaningful connections between the school subjects and their daily life experiences. Students were empowered, motivated, and interested in studying STEM field.

Authors

• Maram H Alaqra, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Bugrahan Yalvac, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Oluwatosin Bewaji, Texas A&M College of Medicine

• Emel Cevik, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Isabel Lambertz, Texas A&M College of Medicine

• James Breeden, Arenal Group

• J. Timothy Lightfoot, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Carolyn Cannon, Texas A&M College of Medicine

• Robin Fuchs-Young, Texas A&M College of Medicine