ERIC Number: EJ1311067
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Aug
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2576-6767
EISSN: N/A
Continuing to Meet the Needs of Middle School Students in Southwest Florida Despite COVID-19 Restrictions
Frost, Laura; Bovard, Brian; Bugarin, Alejandro; Johnson, Brian; Atha, Megan; Swanson, Magdalin; Walsh-Haney, Heather
Journal of STEM Outreach, v4 n3 Aug 2021
We describe two established STEM camps that went virtual following the outbreak of COVID-19 during the summer of 2020. Our Summer Research Opportunity (SRO) camp engages middle school science fair winners in a forensic research opportunity, while The Immokalee Foundation (TIF) camp introduces middle school students from historically underrepresented groups to STEM topics. Home kits were carefully prepared and delivered to all participants to enhance their engagement with our faculty facilitators. Modifications to accommodate the virtual experience are discussed. Our program assessment used a retrospective pretest-posttest design delivering a modified STEM Semantics survey to measure interest in STEM topics and STEM careers. While the programming and the population was different for each camp, both programs achieved positive outcomes in the virtual environment enhancing participant interest in, excitement for, and importance of STEM topics and STEM careers. The local TV news even broadcasted a short video of one of the camps.
Descriptors: STEM Education, Middle School Students, Camps, COVID-19, Pandemics, Science Fairs, Scientific Research, Computer Simulation, Program Effectiveness, Educational Technology, Student Interests, Summer Programs, Student Attitudes, Science Education, Crime, Mathematics Education, Environmental Education, Chemistry
Journal of STEM Outreach. PMB 0367, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN 37203. e-mail: jstemoutreach@vanderbilt.edu; Web site: https://www.jstemoutreach.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Florida
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A