Improvement in student science proficiency through InSciEd out

Area of Science:

• STEM Education
• Science Pedagogy
• Curriculum Development

Background:

• The Integrated Science Education Outreach (InSciEd Out) program is a collaborative initiative involving Mayo Clinic, Winona State University, and Rochester Public Schools.
• It utilizes an equitable partnership model connecting scientists, teachers, education researchers, and the community to advance science education.
• The program aims to improve science education through hands-on experiences and modern pedagogical methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the InSciEd Out program on science education within a K-8 public school setting.
• To assess changes in teacher practices and student outcomes following participation in the InSciEd Out program.
• To determine the effectiveness of integrating cutting-edge science, like the zebrafish model, and collaborative professional development into the K-12 curriculum.

Main Methods:

• Teachers participated in a summer internship at Mayo Clinic, engaging with current scientific research and pedagogical strategies.
• Participants developed new, interdisciplinary curricula incorporating the zebrafish model system to illustrate scientific practices.
• The InSciEd Out program was implemented in a K-8 public school over two years, with data collected on teacher perceptions and student performance.

Main Results:

• Teachers reported increased awareness of local scientific resources and expertise.
• Significant improvements were observed in curriculum integration across disciplines and vertical concept alignment from K-8.
• Student outcomes showed a marked increase in high school honors science track selection (nearly 90%) and high growth in science proficiency (98% of students).

Conclusions:

• Collaboration between educators and scientists, as exemplified by InSciEd Out, drives positive changes in student science proficiency.
• The program demonstrates that higher expectations for science education are achievable in U.S. public schools through innovative partnerships.
• Integrating real-world science and effective pedagogy can lead to measurable improvements in student engagement and academic success.