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Promoting quality STEM Education in the time of Social Distancing

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Conference

2022 ASEE Illinois-Indiana Section Conference

Location

Anderson, Indiana

Publication Date

April 9, 2022

Start Date

April 9, 2022

End Date

April 9, 2022

Tagged Topic

Diversity

Page Count

28

DOI

10.18260/1-2--42137

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/42137

Download Count

403

Paper Authors

biography

Marcelo Caplan Columbia College

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Marcelo Caplan - Associate Professor, Department of Science and Mathematics, Columbia College Chicago. In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I am involved in the development and implementation of STEM programs and activities. I collaborate in the development of three outreach programs 1) the NSF-ISE project “Scientists for Tomorrow” which goal is to promote Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning in community centers in the Chicago area, 2) the Junior Research Scientists program funded by After School Matters of the city of Chicago, to promote STEM for high school students and 3) a collaboration with the Center for College Access and Success – Northeastern University to promote STEM learning in their Upward Bound Math & Science program, also oriented for high school students.

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Abstract

Promoting quality STEM Education in the time of Social Distancing

The pandemic produced by COVID-19 has forced a radical change in the strategies and methodologies used to share and transmit knowledge. With the closure of the Schools / Universities, the educational process has been radically transformed from one day to the next. STEM education, based on collaborative work, inquiry, experimentation, problem-solving, and project generation, encounters many obstacles in the present situation: students do not have access to laboratories, materials, and other essential supplies to implement an educational process of quality. The Institution has developed alternative ways to promote quality STEM education for our students when learning from their homes with the present limitations. These activities allow students to explore phenomena through “virtual” labs (not simulations), project generation using a supply of pre-existing materials (constraints that any project has at any time), and in particular, the development of projects based in easy to find at home materials. In this paper, the author will present three strategies to promote STEM education through remote learning: 1) Laboratory activities for college-level students 2) Hands-on activities for high-school students through informal education settings, and 3) Activities for the public at large through social media (Facebook live and YouTube) and sponsored by public institutions. The author implemented these strategies successfully in a university setting, in Out of School Time (OST) programs in the City for nonprivileged student groups, and with multiple public institutions partners in different countries.

Caplan, M. (2022, April), Promoting quality STEM Education in the time of Social Distancing Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Illinois-Indiana Section Conference , Anderson, Indiana. 10.18260/1-2--42137

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