College of Engineering Receives Three-Year Grant to Boost Teachers’ Knowledge of Physical Science

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The College of Engineering, partnering with the College of Education and Health Professions and nine public school districts throughout northwest Arkansas, received a $488,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to fund a two-week summer program designed to increase 40 middle school science teachers’ knowledge in physical science.

Engineering faculty members will provide teachers with the resources and knowledge needed to develop hands-on activities in physical science. These new resources can be used by the teachers to engage their students in the physical sciences when they return to their classrooms in the fall. The grant will fund this summer program for three years.

“The shortage of engineers in the United States requires a hard look at the preparation of students before they reach the collegiate level,” said Bryan Hill, director of undergraduate recruitment. “For students to succeed in engineering, they need a strong foundation in physical science. Research shows 6^th and 7^th grade students in northwest Arkansas only answer 38 percent of physical science questions correctly. The grant will specifically address this critical area.”

Hill serves as the primary investigator. Co-primary investigators include Christa Hestekin, assistant professor of chemical engineering; Carol Gattis, director of recruitment, retention, honors and diversity and associate professor of industrial engineering; Ed Clausen, professor of chemical engineering; George Denny, professor of educational statistics and research methods; and Brian Horne of the Springdale Public Schools. Nick Tschepikow, director of the Northwest Arkansas Education Renewal Zone, serves as the liaison between the university and the public schools.

Denny will serve as project evaluator, analyzing data to assess how much the program affects teachers and students with regard to learning and behavior.

Participating teachers will receive visits from engineering and science faculty during the school year. Professors will also be available for follow-up if teachers have questions during the year.