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Graphical Abstract
Science Club is a new, mentor-based after-school program for underserved middle school youth. It is designed to address the gaps described above by connecting in-school and out-of-school learning. Through weekly, inquiry-based, small-group instruction in a dedicated laboratory setting at a Boys & Girls Club in Chicago, youth build authentic science skills and receive the support of scientist-mentors.
Abstract
For decades, K–12 science education researchers have echoed the need for inquiry-based teaching approaches to connect students to real scientists and science environments (CitationAAAS 1989; CitationNRC 1996, Citation2007). The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) amplify these needs by stressing the importance of student-developed conceptual models to explain real-world phenomena and coherent integration of authentic science practices, concepts, and core ideas across grade levels (CitationNRC 2012; CitationNGSS Lead States 2013).
Acknowledgments
We are deeply thankful for the amazing support of a number of current and former partners, who each played important roles in program development. These include Pedersen-McCormick Boys & Girls Club staff members George Colone, Mitchell Day, Anita Douglas, Mike Anderson, Arcelia Ortega, Ana Ortega, and Blanca Sandoval; CPS teachers Hallie Askuvich, Patrick Rodrigues, and Gerard Kovach; CPS principals George Chipain, Jennifer Farrell, and Pam Brandt; evaluator Dean Grosshandler; and Northwestern faculty members Carolyn Jahn and Suzanne Olds.
This project was supported by a Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) from the National Institutes of Health, Office of the Director, under Award Number R25OD011033. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Study leaders obtained parental consent and youth assent from all participants, in accordance with Northwestern IRB and Chicago Public Schools Research Review Board policies. Human subjects approvals NU IRB#13112 and CPS RRB #720.
Author Contributions
Michael Kennedy ([email protected]) is founding Director of Science in Society and Research Professor at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
Rebecca Daugherty ([email protected]) is Assistant Director of Science in Society at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
Cecilia Garibay ([email protected]) is Principal at Garibay Group in Chicago, Illinois.
Camellia Sanford ([email protected]) is Senior Researcher at Rockman et al. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Jennifer Koerner ([email protected]) is a sixth-grade teacher at Oak Park–Carpenter Elementary, Shawnee Mission School District, in Overland Park, Kansas.
Jennifer Lewin ([email protected]) is middle school science lead at Coonley Elementary, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, Illinois.
Rosemary Braun ([email protected]) is assistant professor of Preventive Medicine–Biostatistics in Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois.
Notes
1 Science Club received the inaugural 2013 STEM Impact Award from the Afterschool Alliance for excellence in STEM Education.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Michael Kennedy
Michael Kennedy ([email protected]) is founding Director of Science in Society and Research Professor at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
Rebecca Daugherty
Rebecca Daugherty ([email protected]) is Assistant Director of Science in Society at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
Cecilia Garibay
Cecilia Garibay ([email protected]) is Principal at Garibay Group in Chicago, Illinois.
Camellia Sanford
Camellia Sanford ([email protected]) is Senior Researcher at Rockman et al. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Jennifer Koerner
Jennifer Koerner([email protected]) is a sixth-grade teacher at Oak Park–Carpenter Elementary, Shawnee Mission School District, in Overland Park, Kansas.
Jennifer Lewin
Jennifer Lewin ([email protected]) is middle school science lead at Coonley Elementary, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, Illinois.
Rosemary Braun
Rosemary Braun ([email protected]) is assistant professor of Preventive Medicine–Biostatistics in Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois.