STEM Lab on a Kitchen Table: An Investigation of Remote Student-Driven Problem-Based Research

Area of Science:

• STEM Education
• Science Communication
• Research Methodology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted educational programs, particularly those reliant on physical spaces and in-person laboratory research.
• The New Hampshire Academy of Science (NHAS) offers STEM research opportunities for secondary students, mimicking university-level projects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the transition of a summer STEM research program from an in-person to a remote format.
• To analyze the challenges, logistics, and outcomes of delivering a high-quality remote research experience for secondary students.

Main Methods:

• A case study approach was used to describe the transformation process.
• Planning, logistical adjustments, and internal/external evaluations were employed to assess the program's effectiveness.

Main Results:

• 32 out of 33 participating secondary students completed the program's core components.
• 25 students submitted papers and presented their research at a remote conference.
• External evaluations indicated students perceived their work as professional-level and improved their scientific skills.

Conclusions:

• The remote format was largely successful in maintaining research quality and student engagement.
• Students reported significant gains in scientific techniques and instrumentation proficiency.
• While successful, students missed the social interactions inherent in in-person lab work.