Abstract
Our custom high-altitude balloon experiment kit with the complete set of instructions has been successfully used to engage high school and post-secondary students across Canada. This article describes how the high-altitude balloon experiment was adapted to engage Indigenous students from two on-reserve schools in science with the presence of an Elder. Based on the results from our research, while the balloon experiment is an effective tool to engage Indigenous students, the project doesn’t change the participants’ interest in science. We are making several suggestions to bring the experiment to its full potential. It would be more beneficial to make the high-altitude balloon experiment as a multi-day workshop or a major component of a science summer camp. Further, it would be more effective to integrate the balloon experiment into the high school science curriculum rather than run it as an independent event in the on-reserve schools. Finally, we are suggesting how student participation of the survey can be improved for on-reserve schools.
Highlights
Since the early 2000s, post-secondary institutions have been incorporating high-altitude balloon experiments in university science and engineering courses to motivate students (Coleman & Mitchell, 2014; Faltersack, Maraccini, Petrie, & Rasmussen, 2016; Larson, Armstrong, & Hiscock, 2009; Voss & Dailey, 2011)
In the past few years, some educators saw the potential of the high-altitude balloon experiment; they discussed the launching of high-altitude balloons involving middle school and high school students to engage them in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) (Beck-Winchatz & Bramble, 2014; Fong, Kennon, & Roberts, 2016; Hike & Beck-Winchatz, 2015; Saad, 2014; Straub, Ingwalson, & Fevig, 2013; Taylor & Nero, 2017; Tillman, Roberts, & Fuller, 2008)
It is important to expose students to STEM at an early stage during their education as high school students engaged in mathematics and science activity are more likely to select a STEM major during their post-secondary education (Gottfried & Williams, 2013)
Summary
Since the early 2000s, post-secondary institutions have been incorporating high-altitude balloon experiments in university science and engineering courses to motivate students (Coleman & Mitchell, 2014; Faltersack, Maraccini, Petrie, & Rasmussen, 2016; Larson, Armstrong, & Hiscock, 2009; Voss & Dailey, 2011). As discussed by Coleman and Mitchell (2014), the high-altitude balloon experiment. It is important to expose students to STEM at an early stage during their education as high school students engaged in mathematics and science activity are more likely to select a STEM major during their post-secondary education (Gottfried & Williams, 2013)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
