A Comprehensive Model for Motivating and Preparing Under-represented Students, Educators and Parents in Science, Engineering and Technology.

A Chicago, Illinois comprehensive informal learning science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) outreach program for kindergarten through grade 4 (K-4) students is described along with the program's theory of change and findings based on the participation of more than 200 urban minority students and their parents over a four-year period. This NSF-funded informal learning program was grounded in parental engagement theory of planned behavior and integrated both active-learning pedagogies and in-situ professional development for teachers. A unique age-appropriate science, engineering and technology integrated curriculum was delivered as a series of Saturday workshops set in a community science museum. Each year, cohorts of K-4 African American and Latino students and their parents participated in eight 3-hour workshops comprised of student/parent sessions of hands-on science and engineering activities as well as separate parent awareness and development sessions in STEM education and technology skill development. Mixed methods research methodology is used to measure the program's contribution to the advancement of the program goals. This program has incorporated major findings of more than 10-years of research that suggests that improving children's academic outcomes are much more effective 1 when the family is actively engaged. This program has offered opportunities for parents to work along side their children; provided strategies promoting positive parental/child engagement; and provided ongoing training and professional development for project teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]