Enhancing Students’ Interest in Science and Technology through Cross-disciplinary Collaboration and Active Learning Techniques

Twenty-nine rising high school 12 th grade students participated in a 4-week summer program designed to increase their interest in science and technology. The program was a blend of hands-on biology, chemistry, and technology modules that addressed the global issue of obesity. Student groups developed websites to address obesity in one of five countries – Egypt, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States, and the United Kingdom. Three university professors, two from Computer Information Systems (CIS) and one from Biology, formed a partnership to inspire high school students to embrace technology that conveyed scientific concepts about obesity. Survey results showed an increased interest and aptitude in science and technology. After our program, 68% of the students indicated that they plan to pursue a major in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (also referred to as STEM majors). Of those students who indicated an interest in STEM disciplines, the largest numbers noted their interest in the following majors: biology, engineering, computer science, computer information systems, and chemistry. At the end of the summer, 85% of the students agreed that the summer program activities helped them to better understand how the science and technology modules from the FUTURES/T.A.G.S. summer program were connected to obesity.