Successful institutionalization of K-12 outreach programs

Abstract

Clarkson University's outreach efforts were initiated in 2000 primarily with a GK-12 grant from the National Science Foundation, which provided the fundamental basis for almost all of our current outreach activities: a project-based approach that provides both rigor and relevance to enhance teacher and student learning, and retention and interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines. In 2004, with the establishment of its Office of Educational Partnerships, Clarkson initiated a concerted effort to institutionalize its outreach efforts in a manner to increase the extent of these efforts, assess their impacts, and maintain the University's commitment to area school districts for an extended period of time. Through these institutionalization efforts, our regional educational STEM Partnership now includes teachers and classes from all school districts in the county and over 20 faculty members from STEM departments who are leading in-class or teacher development activities in subjects ranging from "Finding Nano" to robotics to ecology. The development of an extensive partnership beyond Clarkson's campus has been a critically important aspect of the success and growth of our outreach programs. Partners include the county-wide Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and other nearby Universities that provide synergistic expertise, including educational assessment. The partnership helps to provide an umbrella organization and common themes across all individual programs, which help to main continuity for all stakeholders as the specific funding sources come and go. The common elements that have been consistent across all individual programs and that have been shown to be critical to our success include: (1) hands-on, inquiry and project-based activities that emphasize academic rigor and cover relevant, cutting-edge topics; (2) integration of STEM disciplines and use of technology in the classroom; (3) training and workshops for K-12 teachers and college students and faculty involved in the programs; and, (4) communication and networking among all stakeholders involved. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2008.