Share Paper: What Would an Alien Eat? A Blended Learning Approach for Hands-On STEM Professional Development

  1. PG Schrader, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, United States
  2. MaryKay Orgill, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, United States
  3. Heather Skaza, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, United States
  4. Eshani Gandhi, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, United States
  5. Erica Marti, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, United States
  6. Schetema Nealy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, United States
  7. Kristoffer Carroll, Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program, United States
  8. Travis Olson, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, United States
  9. Daniel Gerrity, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, United States
  10. Mehmet Dulger, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, United States
  11. Danielle Nobles, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, United States
Wednesday, October 21 10:30 AM-11:00 AM Paniolo II

Abstract: An inquiry-based, integrated STEM PD was created and delivered to middle school teachers who serve traditionally underrepresented populations of students. A blended learning philosophy was implemented to permit teachers to complete readings, assignments, and core knowledge building tasks online via a mastery framework outside of the confines of the institute. While face-to-face, teachers engaged in authentic, context-based activities, and social discourse with experts that served a big question (i.e., What Would an Alien Eat?). This paper reports the planning process, rationale for a blended approach, and qualitative and quantitative findings (i.e., impact of training on teachers’ cognitions, affect, and behaviors) ...