STEM
Science Technology Engineering Math
Research at
Colorado School of Mines
Dr. Barbara M. Moskal
Director - Trefny Institute for Educational Innovation
Vision
Through the Trefny Institute for
Educational Innovation, Mines is a
catalyst for STEM educational research
and improvement at all levels,
K through gray.
“Catch them young. Catch them now. Catch them all.”
Dr. Barbara Moskal – Director Trefny Institute
STEM Outreach in Action
Outline
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Teacher workshops
Follow-up classroom support
Dyslexic camp
Tech camps
Summer Workshop 2013
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Elementary and middle school
Two weeks, eight hours per day
Focus: Earth, Energy & Environment
Research Groups: Bechtel, REMERSEC,
ReNUWIt
• Departments: Chemistry and Geochemistry,
Environmental Engineering, Physics, Chemical
Engineering
Participants
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5 Elementary DPS Teachers
1 DPS Middle School Teacher
7 Elementary Englewood Teachers
2 Englewood Middle School Teachers
8 Adams 50 Elementary and Middle
School Teachers
• Funding: Bechtel, REMRSEC,
ReNUWit
Academic Year Follow-up: 15 hours per
week of graduate student support
throughout academic year
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Example Lesson
• Cloud in a bottle
demonstration
• Water vapors
• Condensation
• Cloud formation
• Water cycle coloring
sheets (take-home)
• Edible aquifers
(active)
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K-8 Evaluation
• Teachers and fellows positively evaluated
program.
• Teacher average performance from pre to post
assessment on a 20 point test raised from 10
to 16 correct. This was found to be statistically
significant using a paired t-test (α<.01).
• Student Attitudes with respect to science in
participating teachers classrooms was, on
average, statistically higher than control
classrooms using a t-test (α<.01).
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Dyslexic Camp
• 27 dyslexic students
• Two weeks, one hour
per day
• Funding: American
Physics Society
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Tech Camps
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36 middle school students
2 one-week camps in 2013
Six hours per day
Focus: Earth, Energy &
Environment
• Funding: Self-supported,
donations, Dr. Mike Wakin,
Electrical Engineering and
Computer Science
Assessment
• Pre-Post Assessment,
Statistically significant
increase
• Drawing of scientists,
pre and post
STEM “On The Road” Outreach
Our funded graduate students have also
created live demonstrations that are presented
at education fairs and conferences around the
country to demonstrate our innovative ideas
and activities.
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Trefny Institute on YouTube
Funded graduate students have created
some really cool videos designed to
teach science concepts in an easily
accessible manner. Check them out on
YouTube page!
https://www.youtube.com/user/TrefnyInstitute
Impact
Dr. Barbara Moskal – Director
Trefny Institute for Educational Innovation
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Research Interests
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Measurement and evaluation
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Student assessment
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Statistics applied to education
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Mathematics education
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Women in science and mathematics
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STEM outreach
Bottle Launcher –
Teacher
Workshops
Modeling
Software –
Tech Camp
Distinguished Service
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Director of the Trefny Institute for Educational Innovation
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Director, Center for Assessment in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
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Senior Editor, Journal of Engineering Education
Publications
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Forssén, A., Lauriski-Karriker, T., Harriger, A. & Moskal, B. (2011). “SPIRIT: Encouraging High School Girls’
Interests in Information Technology.” Journal of STEM Education, 12 (5 &6), 46-57.
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Moskal, B. & Skokan, C. (2011). Supporting the K-12 Classroom through University Outreach, Journal of
Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 15 (1), 53-75.
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Munson, A., Moskal, B. Harriger, A., Lauriski-Karriker, T., & Heersink, D. (2011). “Computing at the High
School Level: Changing What Teachers and Students Know and Believe,” Computers and Education: An
International Journal, 57 (2), 1836-1849.
Dr. Catherine Skokan –
Associate Research Professor
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Research Interests
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Curriculum development
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Measurement and evaluation
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Engineering education
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Science (earth and physical) education
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Humanitarian engineering
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STEM outreach
Humanitarian work
with Students in
Honduras
Energy Lessons for
Teachers
Distinguished Service
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PIC II Chair and Board Member – American Society for Engineering Education
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President-Elect -- Engineering and Environmental Geophysics Society
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Semester-at-Sea Engineering Committee member
Publications
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Skokan, C. K., Crocker, J., and Baughman, G. (2009)Introduction of Energy Courses into Native American
Tribal Colleges: Chapter 30, Innovations in Engineering Education and Research, INEER.
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Moskal, B. & Skokan, C. (2011). Supporting the K-12 Classroom through University Outreach, Journal of
Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 15 (1), 53-75.
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Skokan, C. K. (2011) An Integrated Groundwater Study at Chasnigua, Villanueva, Honduras: A
Geoscientists Without Borders Project, GSA Annual Meeting, Oct. 2011, Minneapolis, MN.
Trefny Institute for Educational Innovation
Colorado School of Mines
Green Center #232
924 16th Street,
Golden, CO 80401
303-384-2401
http://trefny.mines.edu/