(Congressional Add) Partnership in Innovative Preparation for Educators and Students (PIPES)

Abstract

Abstract : The Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (CSTEME) was one of four sponsored centers through the National Institute of Science, Space, and Security Centers located on the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) campus and initially funded by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). Through its Partnership in Innovative Preparation for Educators and Students (PIPES) program, CSTEME responded to the lagging performance and retention of students in science and math through innovative and supportive partnerships with parents, educators, and professionals. Leveraging on-campus faculty as well as the technology and military industries that are so prevalent in the Pikes Peak area, CSTEME aspired to attract and encourage a new generation of creative, artistic, and innovative students to solve our future problems related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Underlying all PIPES activity was a solid evaluation framework that measured student interest and retention in STEM subjects through longitudinal tracking of students from 6th through 12th grade and assessing teachers who completed PIPES professional development programs over 4 years. PIPES researchers collected and analyzed both qualitative and quantitative data from students, teachers, and parents related to PIPES program effectiveness in stimulating interest in STEM subjects and long-term attraction and retention in STEM careers.