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Our study investigates the first year of a two-year place-based education (PBE) professional development model that focuses on career development in rural middle schools through project-based learning (PBL) units. Rural science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educators face unique challenges, including geographic isolation, limited resources, and reduced access to professional development opportunities, which can hinder the effective integration of career-oriented learning in the classroom. We addressed these challenges by implementing professional development in which school counselors and teachers collaborate to design PBL units aligned with rural community local needs and STEM careers. Using a descriptive multiple-case study methodology to document the experiences of three teams of educators, we used cross-case analysis to explore how the teams integrated PBL and PBE principles to foster meaningful learning experiences and enhance career awareness among students. The research questions focused on each team’s implementation of the PBL units based on key PBL design elements and how they integrated local community connections and places. Initial findings suggest that while teams effectively engaged with community members and integrated STEM career connections, they faced challenges in broadly applying learning and assessment practices. We highlight the potential of PBE to enhance rural STEM education and emphasize the need for long-term professional development to equip teachers with the skills necessary to integrate STEM content and career development effectively.
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Trash is a Problem! Building Students’ Connection to Their School Community
The project described in this article focused on the school’s environment and students’ connections with the school. The project took place in a large, comprehensive high school with eight 12th grade students, one with intellectual disabilities, three with learning disabilities, two with autism spectrum disorders, and two with health impairments. Students learned to collect data, use an ArcGIS map for analysis, brainstormed and carried out methods to bring awareness about garbage on school grounds to the school community (using posters, announcements, and incentive points), and compared garbage quantity after a week of awareness. Students gained insight into how technology can be used to define a problem, strategies to communicate important issues, and the value of collecting and using data for decision-making. The strengths of this project were engaging students in an authentic school-based investigation while being introduced to new technology tools, learning about the impact they can have on their school, and increasing their connections to the schoolwide community.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1949388
- PAR ID:
- 10402400
- Publisher / Repository:
- SAGE Publications
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Special Education Technology
- Volume:
- 38
- Issue:
- 4
- ISSN:
- 0162-6434
- Format(s):
- Medium: X Size: p. 555-562
- Size(s):
- p. 555-562
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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