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AIAA RST 2011 Presentation
This document outlines lessons learned from Rocket Science Tutors (RST), a program that aims to generate STEM interest in middle school students. It discusses the problem of poor US performance in math and science, and how RST works to augment classroom education with weekly sessions led by volunteer engineers. Results show some correlation between RST attendance and improved test scores. Feedback from teachers and students is positive. The document reviews accomplishments in the 2010-11 school year and calls for expanding the program by revising labs, creating new activities, and gaining more volunteers and funding. It argues that grassroots involvement is needed to address America's deficit in technical education.
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AIAA RST 2011 Presentation
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- 2. Agenda • PROBLEM • RST SOLUTION • RESULTS • STATUS • WHAT’S NEXT
- 3. AMERICA, We’ve gota problem! We ve
- 4. The Problem • Medialoaded with examples of US students’ poor performance in math/science • Future of the US technological lead; aerospace particularly impacted ti l l i t d • Early success in math is CRITICAL • Not only key to science, but also because skills are cumulative • K-12 graders have little knowledge (or interest) in what engineers do
- 5. America’s Math and Science Deficit • American 8th grade students rank 15th in an international study of math achievement.1 achievement • By the time they graduate from high school, they score near the bottom of all industrialized nations.2 • The percentage of 24-year olds 24- in the US with a science or engineering degree (5.7%) is nearly half that of Taiwan (11.1%), South Korea (10.9 %) and the United Kingdom (10 7%) 1 (10.7%) 1 From Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2 According to “Pursuing Excellence: A Study of US 12th Grade Mathematics and Science Achievement in Pursuing International Context,” National Study for Education Statistics
- 6. Reason to Worry • Children in US middle schools would rather clean their rooms, eat , vegetables, take out the garbage or visit the dentist than do their math homework- homework- Raytheon Study; OC Register Apr 2006 • Several studies suggest that after a strong math/science position in the 4th grade US students fall behind grade, by 8th grade and far behind by 12th grade- grade- TIMSS, Dept of Education, 2000 Education,
- 7. Reason to Worry In1999, American colleges granted 61K undergraduate degrees in engineering. Japan produced 103K, European Union 134K and China 195K. Between 1991-2003, the California State University 1991- system experienced a 31% decline in engineering graduates.- graduates.- Raytheon study US Students ranked 16th of 46 nations in math/science with US scores among the lowest of industrialized nations- American nations- Institute for Research
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- 9. Objective ROCKET SCIENCE TUTORS Ensure America’s technological future by generating STEM interest in middle school students by augmenting classroom education using “live” engineers i a SUSTAINED program. i in
- 10. Rocket Science Tutors • Uses real live engineers to reinforce and expand lesson plan • AUGMENTS the lesson plan with real-world applications real- • WEEKLY sessions repeat the message • Demonstrates • WHERE math is used • WHY it’s important • HOW it relates to science, technology and engineering • Provides HANDS-ON experience HANDS-
- 11. RST Characteristics RST differsfrom related efforts- efforts- Direct approach- ENGINEERS IN THE CLASSROOM approach- Professional contact- Learning by example contact- Sustained Effort- Long term, 24 weeks Effort- Low student/engineer ratio- Average 5:1 ratio- RST all-volunteer workforce provided >1400 student all- contact hours (at no cost to school) for ~ $2.85/hour 501 c-3 Non-Profit status c- Non-
- 12. Approach • Encouragement/Enthusiasm/Passion from real Engineers • Learning direct from engineers has a large impact; career planning l i • The Math/Science connection • Incorporate “hands-on” building, “hands-on” measuring, calculating, g, g, comparing
- 13. Approach • AUGMENTS California Standards lesson plan with real-world real- applications • WEEKLY sessions repeat the message • WHERE math is used • WHY it’s important • HOW it relates to science, technology and engineering • Recurring themes • Math is a Tool • Math is the language of science • Science & Engineering create our world
- 14. Labs Labs are thebackbone of RST sessions Building Measuring M i Calculating Interpreting Modifying Asking “what if” and “why”
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- 21. ’06 Results • ~17 students have 17 attended regularly since January 2006 • 9 girls, 8 boys • Results show 0.6 06 correlation between RST attendance and improved test/quiz scores
- 22. Input from schoolofficials • Voluntary attendance (after school) is extraordinary. • Parents have expressed appreciation appreciation. • Students are exposed to new terms, ideas and concepts. • Students talk of “going to college” when it was rarely expressed before. before. • Topics covered in RST trigger “technical” discussions outside of class • Students are researching related topics on- on-line in the school’s computer lab.
- 23. Student Quotes • “The field trip (to AIAA Space ’07) was a dream come true.” • “I've never had a B in math before.” • “Every time I come here, I learn something new.” • “I think what is taught to me is going to help me in the future.” future.” • “I feel smart.”
- 24. Student Quotes •RST helped me see how math and p science are related • RST is what I look forward for all week. Make it four times a week. • It was very exciting and it helped me to be a better thinker • I love this program. This was the best program program I ever attended. • It opened my eyes to the impact math and science have on everyday life • I got to do many interesting things and learned amazing facts
- 25. Teacher Quotes “The RSTstudents are better rounded because of their participation in your program. In addition, because of the edge they had over the others, many times they assumed a leadership role in cooperative activities I firmly believe this was activities. a direct result of the confidence they obtained from their RST involvement.” Tony Espinoza, McFadden Intermediate School “The lessons i everything from simple machines to solar powered vehicles to “Th l in thi f i l hi t l d hi l t rocket propulsion helped students to see why subjects such as Algebra 1 are critical to engineers and scientists in their everyday work. The small learning g groups and the hands on lessons were all part of the overall success of the p p tutoring program.” David Janisch, Carr Intermediate School “The Rocket Science (Tutors) Program is one of the best I have ever seen in The motivating students to learn and understand science. I have seen these students become interested and excited about science because of their involvement in the program.” David Drayer, C D id D Drayer, Carr I t Intermediate School di t S h l
- 26. Lessons Learned • Volunteers are priceless • School support is essential • Logistics is critical • Student recruitment is required • Money is not the limiting factor • Proof of RST positive influence difficult to discern from data THIS IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKS!
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- 28. 2010/11 Accomplishments Completed6th year of after school programs from October-April October- Operated at four schools-conducting schools- ~150 rocket builds & launches Partnered with Boys & Girls Club and funded by Time Warner Cable to add new schools Participated in Time Warner Cable’s “Connect A Million Minds” Global Town Hall Meeting Executed field trip to UCI engineering labs Gained 15+ volunteers Added El Add d Electromagnetism, Optics Labs and several demos i O i L b d ld
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- 32. What’s Next • Learn from our experience • Revise existing labs g • Create new labs / demos • Gather more volunteers, money and enthusiasm EXPAND!
- 33. The Situation • America has a problem • RST has a solution • Technical community needed to implement
- 34. Join The Fight • Crisis situation exists in the technical education pipeline • It’s up to us-- We can’t depend on the government us-- • RST h d has demonstrated th concept of “E i t t d the t f “Engineers in i the Classroom” is viable & scalable • The so ut o is grass-roots involvement by t e e solution s grass- oots g ass o e e t the technical community • Small input can make a significant impact • GET INVOLVED! rocketsciencetutors.com
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