A University-Community Partnership Model to Support Rural STEM Teaching and Student Engagement

Authors

  • Kathleen Kavanagh Clarkson University
  • Jan DeWaters Clarkson University
  • Seema Rivera Clarkson University
  • Melissa Richards Clarkson University
  • Michael Ramsdell Clarkson University
  • Ben Galluzzo Clarkson University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3776/tpre.2022.v12n2p229-248

Keywords:

rural stem education, outreach, partnerships, competitions, k-12 outreach

Abstract

Rural economically disadvantaged communities face unique challenges in engaging students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). School district administrators, teachers, and students do not have access to high-quality STEM opportunities compared to urban schools. This article describes a partnership between a small, private STEM university and a network of school districts scattered across the geographically isolated region of upstate New York. The partnership’s primary goal is to support the teaching and learning of STEM. This is achieved through actively engaging a range of university and community stakeholders in STEM enrichment and professional development. Programming includes summer camps and after-school activities, challenges and competitions that focus on inspiring students to pursue STEM careers, undergraduate and graduate student mentors, and a university curriculum designed to prepare teachers to work in high-need school districts. Activities are supported by the university’s Institute for STEM Education, which fosters collaborations for like-minded faculty and campus members to pursue grant opportunities and connect with community members. The paper describes various program components and how they work to support each other, discusses impacts of the program, and describes ways in which elements can be implemented elsewhere.

Author Biographies

Kathleen Kavanagh, Clarkson University

Katie Kavanagh, PhD, is the Director of the Institute for STEM Education and a Math Professor at Clarkson University. Dr. Kavanagh’s research interests include numerical analysis, computational mathematics, non-linear equations, and many applications of mathematics. She also has an extensive background in creating and teaching professional development for K12 STEM teachers.

Jan DeWaters, Clarkson University

Jan DeWaters, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Institute for STEM Education with a joint appointment in the School of Engineering at Clarkson University and teaches classes in both areas. Her research focuses on developing and assessing effective, inclusive teaching and learning in various settings. An environmental engineer by training, Dr. DeWaters’ work typically integrates environmental topics such as energy and climate into STEM settings

Seema Rivera, Clarkson University

Seema Rivera, PhD, is an associate professor of science education at Clarkson University, her research interests include STEM Teacher preparation and the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion with STEM both in K12 classrooms and higher education. She works with STEM Preservice teachers and is the principal investigator for the Noyce Scholar program at Clarkson. Dr. Rivera is a former chemistry teacher.

Melissa Richards, Clarkson University

Melissa Carole Richards, PhD, is an assistant professor and Director of the Horizons Programs and Robotics Outreach Programs with the Institute for STEM Education at Clarkson University.  She is committed to fostering greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in academia as a whole and engineering specifically. She holds an Associate of Science in Engineering Science from Nassau Community College. In addition, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics, and a Master of Science and Doctorate of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering, all from Clarkson University. Her research interests are in theoretical rock mechanics and STEM education.



Michael Ramsdell, Clarkson University

Mike Ramsdell, PhD, is an associate professor of physics at Clarkson University; his research interests include physics education research, laboratory curriculum development, and design. Dr. Ramsdell has focused on implementing and assessing the physics team design program for the calculus-based introductory Mechanics, Electricity, and Magnetism courses. Dr. Ramsdell also has an extensive background in developing and running STEM professional development and STEM camps for middle and high school students.

Ben Galluzzo, Clarkson University

Ben Galluzzo, PhD, is an associate professor of mathematics at Clarkson University. Dr. Galluzzo’s area of research concentrates on developing new strategies and best practices for bringing innovation and active learning into K-16 STEM classrooms, with a particular emphasis on mathematical modeling. Dr. Galluzzo also has an extensive background in creating and teaching professional development for K12 STEM teachers.

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Published

2022-11-04

How to Cite

Kavanagh, K., DeWaters, J., Rivera, S., Richards, M., Ramsdell, M., & Galluzzo, B. (2022). A University-Community Partnership Model to Support Rural STEM Teaching and Student Engagement. Theory & Practice in Rural Education, 12(2), 229–248. https://doi.org/10.3776/tpre.2022.v12n2p229-248

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2022): Theory & Practice in Rural Education: Special Issue on Rural STEM Teacher Development

Section

Practice Forum

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Copyright (c) 2022 Kathleen Kavanagh, Jan DeWaters, Seema Rivera, Melissa Richards, Michael Ramsdell, Ben Galluzzo

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