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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #351006
Research Project: Identification, Evaluation, and Implementation of Biological Control Agents for Invasive Weeds of Southeastern Ecosystems

Location: Invasive Plant Research Laboratory

Title: The effects of a University/Secondary school partnership on the communication skills of STEM graduate students

Author
item CHAMELY-WIIK, DONNA - Florida Atlantic University
item HAKY, JEROME - Florida Atlantic University
item LOUDA, DEBORAH - Florida Atlantic University
item ROMANCE, NANCY - Florida Atlantic University
item Goode, Ashley
item VITALE, MICHAEL - East Carolina University

Submitted to: International Journal of Science Education: Part B
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/30/2018
Publication Date: 11/16/2018
Citation: Chamely-Wiik, D., Haky, J., Louda, D., Romance, N., Goode, A.B., Vitale, M. 2018. The effects of a University/Secondary school partnership on the communication skills of STEM graduate students. International Journal of Science Education: Part B. 9(1):72-81. https://doi.org/10.1080/21548455.2018.1543978.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21548455.2018.1543978

Interpretive Summary: Florida Atlantic University partnered with several high schools in the School District of Palm Beach County through a GK-12 program funded by the National Science Foundation. One goal of this project was to investigate the potential impact of this program on the ability of graduate students to communicate their scientific research and expertise to a non-technical audience comprised of high school Chemistry, Biotechnology, and Environmental Science students. Additionally, the graduate students collaborated with teachers and project staff to develop and implement curricular materials including interactive demonstrations and laboratory experiments. During class presentations about their ongoing research, the graduate students were videotaped during and after their first and second of participation in the program. Following a standardized communications rubric, analysis of the video presentations indicated significant improvement in the graduate students’ communication skills during their participation in the program.

Technical Abstract: Florida Atlantic University partnered with several high schools in the School District of Palm Beach County through a GK-12 program funded by the National Science Foundation. One goal of this project was to investigate the potential impact of this program on the ability of graduate students to communicate their scientific research and expertise to a non-technical audience comprised of high school Chemistry, Biotechnology, and Environmental Science students. Additionally, the graduate students collaborated with teachers and project staff to develop and implement curricular materials including interactive demonstrations and laboratory experiments. During class presentations about their ongoing research, the graduate students were videotaped during and after their first and second of participation in the program. Following a standardized communications rubric, analysis of the video presentations indicated significant improvement in the graduate students’ communication skills during their participation in the program.