“It Hits Across the Board”: The Effectiveness of an Informal STEM and Sports Learning Program (Poster 8)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Thursday 3:35 p.m.
  In Poster Session: Informal Learning Environments Research Poster Session

Abstract

In-school mathematics instruction too often fails to engage students from diverse backgrounds, especially those from groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Building upon research on how STEM learning in informal spaces can effectively engage youth, we report on a [Project] that combines mathematics, sports, and growth mindset in a curriculum designed for informal settings. This study draws on data collected from 11 facilitators at six sites to investigate the extent to which the program supported youths’ engagement and learning, features of the program and informal learning context that supported these outcomes, and identified areas of challenge. Our study contributes to previous work about challenges and successes in engaging youth in mathematics learning within a sports context.

Authors

• Seneca Beth Miller, University of Arizona

• Erin Turner, University of Arizona

• Sanlyn Buxner, University of Arizona

• Christina Baze, Northern Arizona University

• Ricardo Valerdi, University of Arizona