A preliminary analysis of GK-12 graduate fellow classroom interactions on secondary students perceptions of science

Abstract

"The NSF GK-12 program at MTSU partners graduate students and high school teachers with biotechnology companies to promote STEM learning opportunities. Graduate Fellows spend one year in high school biology classrooms mentoring student research projects. The purpose of the study was to determine if introducing Graduate Fellows into high school science classrooms to engage with students during the year influences the students attitudes toward science. We hypothesize that implementing programs such as GK-12 may generate a positive perception of science and increase interest in pursuing a science career.