Teaching Earth systems connections to middle school students in an informal learning environment with Science on a Sphere®, personal relevance and arts-based activities

Abstract

The next generation of STEM professionals needs to understand interconnections between human and Earth systems to be able to address complex, multifaceted, emerging global environmental issues. Interest in STEM fields and professions can begin in middle school. To educate and connect middle school students to Earth systems and STEM fields, we created an interactive Science on a Sphere Ⓡ (SOS) and arts-based program, called 6 Degrees of Connection. The program was developed through an iterative review process involving undergraduate interns, middle school students, and teachers. This program was tested alongside a traditional SOS program, assessed with formative and summative evaluations, and revised based on feedback from educator workshops and student questionnaires. Almost 800 6th-8th grade students from Baltimore, and rural and small urban Pennsylvania schools participated in the process, completing front end research and post-program surveys, in addition to an arts-based activity that was evaluated. Evaluation results show the 6 Degrees program achieved content comprehension and retention, and was rated highly in terms of enjoyment. The arts integration in the program aided students’ understanding of connections and feeling personally connected to Earth, and the inclusion of interactivity and STEM career profiles increased content retention. Students’ ability to explain connections in their own words further demonstrated their increased knowledge of Earth systems. The results of implementation of the 6 Degrees of Connection program supports the importance of personal relevance for learning and the benefits of art integration with science, and informs efforts to promote STEM literacy among middle school students.