An Outreach Program with Hands-On, Physiology-Based Exercises Generates Questions about STEM Career Expectations

Autor/inn/en	Clarke, Martina A.; Sharma, Neeru M.; Schiller, Alicia M.
Titel	An Outreach Program with Hands-On, Physiology-Based Exercises Generates Questions about STEM Career Expectations
Quelle	In: Advances in Physiology Education, 43 (2019) 2, S.175-179 (5 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Clarke, Martina A.) ORCID (Schiller, Alicia M.)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1043-4046
DOI	10.1152/advan.00013.2019
Schlagwörter	Outreach Programs; Physiology; Experiential Learning; STEM Education; Career Choice; Career Awareness; Student Interests; Private Schools; Anatomy; Diseases; Scientists; Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Nebraska + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Jobcoaching; Physiologie; Experiental learning; Erfahrungsorientiertes Lernen; STEM; Karrierebewusstsein; Studieninteresse; Private school; Privatschule; Anatomie; Disease; Krankheit; Scientist; Wissenschaftler; School year 06; 6. Schuljahr; Schuljahr 06; School year 07; 7. Schuljahr; Schuljahr 07; School year 08; 8. Schuljahr; Schuljahr 08
Abstract	Scientific advocacy and outreach programs are encouraged to increase public understanding of scientific knowledge and generate interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. However, evaluation of these events' effectiveness is difficult and somewhat rare. This study's purpose was to better understand how effective an established physiology-based outreach program was in generating interest in STEM careers, while simultaneously providing information that can be used to increase the effectiveness of future events. We partnered with a private school located in Omaha, Nebraska, where 64-80 students participated in 3 h of physiology-based activities presented by volunteers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The event included a brief presentation of the eye, sensory, heart, and lung systems, followed by hands-on demonstrations and activities. Each session concluded with 15 min of questions and answers (Q&A), where students were encouraged to engage the volunteers in inquiries about what they just learned, career-related questions, or any topic of their choosing. Each Q&A session was audio recorded and evaluated using thematic analysis to identify patterns in the Q&A data. Two major themes of questions were identified: (1) scientific content (animal circulatory systems and how organs are affected by disease or stimulus); and (2) career-related content, including typical day-to-day activities of a scientist and the volunteers' satisfaction with a scientific career. We conclude that hands-on physiology-based learning opportunities are effective in generating short-term interest in STEM content and careers. The results of this study will also facilitate informed modification of event content to better suit student's interests. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	American Physiological Society. 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814-3991. Tel: 301-634-7164; Fax: 301-634-7241; e-mail: webmaster@the-aps.org; Web site: https://www.physiology.org/journal/advances
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01