This research presents an investigation on the utilization of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) with Project-Based Learning as experiment class treatment and project-based learning as control class treatment to investigate students' critical thinking in optical instruments lessons, with a particular focus on the development…

The history of science (HOS) has played an important role in science curricula for teaching about science. However, historical information in science textbooks is often de-contextualized, coupled with limited class time and teaching barriers, and thus fails to help students understand the dynamic process of scientific development. This research…

Background: Data storytelling is an interdisciplinary practice that uses visual and narrative elements to engage an audience with data. Students need more opportunities across school curriculum to consider the connections between data and social and environmental contexts. Few studies have investigated how to support teachers in co-designing for…

For many Black boys, poor academic performance and high rates of school discipline are often related to biases in how they are perceived and treated at school. These biases oftentimes misalign with how Black boys view themselves and how family members perceive them at home. Few studies examine how different stakeholders' perceptions of Black boys…

The purpose of this study is to adapt the "Computer Programming Self-Efficacy Scale for Computer Literacy Education (CPSES)" developed by Tsai et al. (2019) into Turkish for middle school students and to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool. The participants of the study consisted of 348 eighth grade students. In order to test…

This qualitative dissertation aimed to understand if an after-school kinesiology service-learning program changed the relationship between a large Research I institution and a local public school. Eight 7th- and 8th-grade students, three classroom teachers, and one administrator participated. Data collection methods included semistructured…

The students at the author's alternative, academic-recovery school come from their base schools and at the author's school are able to rewrite their own school stories. Some of that rewriting naturally happens in the library. Many of the students have experiences at multiple schools, but it is not until they come to the author's school that many…

In seeking out a means of encouraging eighth-grade readers in their literacy and communication development, a university professor and middle grades educator collaborated in an action research study focused on expanding connection and collaboration amongst and between students. Through a theoretical lens grounded in social constructivism, this…

This qualitative action research dissertation was an endeavor to strengthen the practitioner-researcher's ability to foster collaboration skills among eighth grade students in his elective science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) class. The research question that anchored this study was: To what extent can I foster effective…

This project-based thesis aimed to facilitate the creation of a collaborative culture quilt that celebrates the diverse cultural backgrounds, heritage, and traditions of students and teachers. The curriculum focused on various artists from different cultures, expanding students' understanding of art and culture both inside and outside the…

The impacts of high-stakes testing administered within the framework of accountability policies concern all the stakeholders in the field of education, particularly the policymakers. As such, in the present study, which is specific to the mathematics course, the aim was to examine the impacts of high-stakes testing on teaching and learning…

This study sought to address the large gap in the literature regarding parents' roles and views about physical education programs. Guided by Epstein's model of parental involvement, this study investigated the effect of increased parental involvement in a child's physical education program on parents' perceptions of that program. Participants…

Plate tectonics is the organizing paradigm of geosciences, but it is also conceptually complex, and students often struggle with developing a system level understanding of the earth. This article reports on research designed to create a characterization of the different levels of sophistication around plate tectonics in the form of a learning…

This exploratory study examined the efficacy of Conjoint Behavioral Consultation for addressing classroom disruptive behavior for middle school students with externalizing behavior problems. In addition, the parent-teacher relationship, parent and teacher competence in problem-solving, and acceptability were examined. Participants were parents and…

This paper highlights an investigation of how middle school students responded to a theatre performance designed to portray science as a humanistic and relatable endeavour that youth -- similar to the youth in the audience -- engage in during their everyday lives. The play included in this study was generated as a part of a design research project…