Impact of a K-12 Partnership on Science Teaching

Abstract

The Collaboration to Advance Teaching Technology and Science (CATTS) program supports a variety of partnerships that bring faculty and students at the university level together with K-12 teachers and their students to promote short- and long-term research projects as well as inquiry science and mathematics lessons in K-12 classrooms. Our goal is to improve science, mathematics and technology education in grades K-16. Continuous program evaluation provided critical information about how well the partnerships were developing and their overall impact. We were able to use the results of surveys and journal writings to make important improvements to our preparation workshop and our communication with school partners over the course of our first and second year, and continue to do so. These same instruments provided documentation that the program was having the desired impact on the attitudes and teaching practices of university and K-12 participants. The key to success in all of our partnerships has been the willingness and ability of the university and school partners to communicate their goals and expectations effectively. The lessons learned in designing and implementing the CATTS program can be applied directly to building research or any other kind of partnership with schools.