Making Connections in Math and Science: Identifying Student Outcomes

Abstract

A three‐phase Collaborative Science Education Research Project (CSERP) has been established between the AIMS Education Foundation and The National Center for Science Teaching and Learning. The goal of Phase I is to identify student outcomes as perceived by classroom teachers to be related to participation in a hands‐on, integrated mathematics science program called AIMS, Activities Integrating Math and Science. The raw data were then summarized and interpreted by the principal investigators. Data collection procedures involved seven Research Team Leaders; 45 teacher‐researchers; and 2,025 students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 located in six states. The teacher‐researchers identified 423 cognitive, 234 affective, and 188 social outcomes that were coded and classified by the principal investigators. An unanticipated teacher outcome also emerged. Teacher involvement in the research project greatly contributed to their own sense of professionalism. These outcomes will be used to develop, pilot (Phase II), and field test (Phase III) prototypic assessment items in the subsequent phases of the CSERP.