Evaluating the Impact of Authentic Research on Secondary Student Self-efficacy and Future Scientific Possible Selves.

BACKGROUND: As the need to involve more students in STEM learning and future careers becomes more pressing, identifying successful methods of engaging students in meaningful scientific learning that increases their interest in science is essential. Student self-efficacy (their confidence or belief in their ability to accomplish tasks) is closely tied to student interest in science, as is student future scientific possible selves. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This manuscript presents the findings of a study that evaluated the Clean Air and Healthy Homes Program (CAHHP), which provides students the opportunity to design and implement authentic scientific research on indoor air quality issues. The program's influence on student self-efficacy, scientific research and experimental design skills, and future scientific possible selves was examined. Students (n=169) from six schools completed a pre- and post-assessment at the beginning and end of the program. RESULTS: Results showed the greatest impact on student research self-efficacy, along with improvement in student research and experimental design skills. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that programs promoting authentic learning opportunities aligned with the most recent national science standards show great promise in improving both student interest and skills in science.

Air Toxics Under the Big Sky: Examining the Effectiveness of Authentic Scientific Research on High School Students' Science Skills and Interest.

Air Toxics Under the Big Sky is an environmental science outreach/education program that incorporates the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) 8 Practices with the goal of promoting knowledge and understanding of authentic scientific research in high school classrooms through air quality research. A quasi-experimental design was used in order to understand: 1) how the program affects student understanding of scientific inquiry and research and 2) how the open inquiry learning opportunities provided by the program increase student interest in science as a career path. Treatment students received instruction related to air pollution (airborne particulate matter), associated health concerns, and training on how to operate air quality testing equipment. They then participated in a yearlong scientific research project in which they developed and tested hypotheses through research of their own design regarding the sources and concentrations of air pollution in their homes and communities. Results from an external evaluation revealed that treatment students developed a deeper understanding of scientific research than did comparison students, as measured by their ability to generate good hypotheses and research designs, and equally expressed an increased interest in pursuing a career in science. These results emphasize the value of and need for authentic science learning opportunities in the modern science classroom.

The Clean Air and Healthy Homes Program: A Model for Authentic Science Learning.

The Clean Air and Healthy Homes Program (CAHHP) is a science education outreach program that involves students in research of their own design related to indoor and outdoor air pollution and links with respiratory health. The program, which provides equipment, lesson plans, and support to middle and high school classrooms and professional development for teachers, is an excellent model of how to engage students in relevant and authentic science research and learning. This article describes the current program, how it promotes authentic science learning in secondary science education, and the positive impact it has had on student learning and attitudes.'

Lessons learned from a woodstove changeout on the Nez Perce Reservation.

A woodstove changeout program was conducted within 16 homes on the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho to evaluate the effectiveness of a woodstove changeout in improving indoor air quality. PM(2.5) samples were collected within the common area (rooms where the stoves were located) of the homes both before and after the installation of cleaner burning EPA-certified stoves. During the pre- and post-changeout sampling, indoor PM(2.5) mass, Organic Carbon (OC), Elemental Carbon (EC), and chemical markers of woodsmoke (including levoglucosan) were measured. Sampling results from this study showed that indoor air quality was improved in 10 of the 16 homes following the woodstove changeout and educational training program. Five homes had increased indoor PM(2.5) concentrations following the changeout, while one home did not have final PM(2.5) results for comparison. The median pre-changeout PM(2.5) mass (as measured by TSI DustTraks) was 39.2 µg/m³, with a median post-changeout concentration of 19.0 µg/m³. This resulted in an overall 52% reduction in median indoor PM(2.5), a 36% reduction in mean indoor PM(2.5) and a 60% reduction in PM(2.5) spikes when the old stoves were replaced with EPA-certified stoves. Another significant finding of the project was that targeted education and outreach is a critical component of the overall success of the program. Effective messaging to homeowners on proper use of their new stove is a necessary task of a woodstove changeout.

The Power of the Symposium: Impacts from Students' Perspectives.

The Air Toxics under the Big Sky program developed at the University of Montana is a regional outreach and education initiative that offers a yearlong exploration of air quality and its relation to respiratory health. The program was designed to connect university staff and resources with rural schools enabling students to learn and apply science process skills through self-designed research projects conducted within their communities. As part of the program, students develop and conduct independent projects, then share their findings at the conclusion of the school year in some type of interactive capstone experience, the most prominent being a high school symposium held at The University of Montana campus. Student feedback collected through a carefully controlled evaluation program suggest that the annual symposium as the culminating event is a critical component of the Air Toxics Under the Big Sky program, and a valuable learning experience as many of the students go on to post-secondary education.