Creating a Sustainable Partnership Between a Science Center, University, and Local School Districts: A Retrospective on Over 20 Years of Successful Programming and Partnership

Abstract

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and the McWane Science Center have partnered for over 20 years to provide secondary students in Alabama opportunities to conduct inquiry-based, standards-aligned science labs. LabWorks (middle school) and GENEius (high school) programs offer multiple research laboratory experiences in which students explore molecular biology, chemistry, physics, genetics, engineering, anatomy, and forensic science, with associated summer professional development for teachers: BioTeach and GeoTeach. These programs attract 3,000-4,000 participants annually, with an ~80% return rate. This partnership has been synergistic, allowing the Science Center to offer high-level secondary science programming, while giving UAB a conduit into the K-12 world. Originally, these programs were developed through Howard Hughes Medical Institute funding, and then expanded through support from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the US Department of Education. These programs have excited secondary students and teachers about science education and careers, provided authentic science experiences, and given teachers the opportunity to experience a model of learning that engages students in “real science” closely linked to their curriculum. This unique, evolving partnership has over 20 years, increased understanding of over 90,000 students and teachers relative to the opportunities that science and STEM careers hold.