Project EXTREMES (EXploration, Teaching and Research for Excellence in Middle and Elementary Science) placed graduate students from the University of Colorado into Boulder Valley School District's (BVSD) more socioeconomically diverse schools. The project supported the enrichment of science learning opportunities for GK-12 students, as well as the professional development of young scientists and mentor teachers. Fourth and fifth graders learned first-hand about some of the extreme environments found in Boulder County. Fourth graders visited Sombrero Marsh, a rare saline habitat, to learn how plants and animals have adapted to this extreme environment. During the following year, fifth graders journeyed for an overnight trip to the University's Mountain Research Station, site of the alpine tundra Long Term Ecological Research site, to learn about alpine climate and ecology. At the middle school level fellows worked with science teachers during the school day, and they developed after-school science programs. At all levels, technology was infused into the learning – sensor networks were deployed at both sites and students learned how to manipulate the data collected. Over the course of six years, the program supported 30 Fellows who worked in 11 schools (6 elementary, 5 middle level) with a total of 54 mentor teachers (41 elementary, 14 middle level).  Conservative estimates indicate that the GK-12 program touched the lives of approximately 5000 students in BVSD.

In addition to serving in the classrooms, the Fellows developed lesson plans aligned with the Colorado Science Academic Standards and are available through the EXTREMES website (http://tinyurl.com/p2zmawk).  Several Fellows in conjunction with one middle level Earth Science teacher wrote a supplemental grant to conduct research at the NSF-supported McMurdo Station in Antarctica.  They shared their experiences with their students through a blog, made presentations about their research at informal gatherings at schools and shared the curriculum they developed with other teachers. EXTREMES brought in experts on a quarterly basis to lead professional development workshops for the fellows and their mentor teachers, which helped to develop a strong professional learning community.

Of the 30 Fellows that participated in Project EXTREMES, 73% of them graduated with either a Ph.D. in science (63%) or a M.S. (10%).  Seven former Fellows are in the process of completing their Ph.Ds.  One Fellow terminated his doctorate, pursued a Master's in Educational Psychology and is now an elementary teacher.  Those that graduated pursued an array of professions - 17% obtained an academic position, 13% went into the private sector, 11% work for the Federal Government, 10% are educators in the K-12 system or informal science venues and one Fellow is in a Science Communication Program and is currently an intern at the American Geophysical Union.  Five former Fellows have postdoctoral fellowships, and several recent graduates are seeking employment.

Our research indicates that the fellows received long-lasting benefits that went beyond their classroom teaching. Interviews with Fellows, many of whom are currently employed in academia or in a business setting, strongly believed that the communication skills they learned within the context of their teaching assignment were invaluable to their current career trajectory. Many cited the GK-12 experience, as instrumental in securing their current employment position be it as an educator or a consultant. 

Last Modified: 08/01/2015
Modified by: Lesley K Smith