The Curriculum and Community Environmental Restoration Science (STEM + Computer Science) Remote Learning Curriculum Use and Evaluation

Abstract

The role of classroom teachers in the development of a well-designed curriculum is paramount. For this reason, teachers were asked to participate in the use and evaluation of a remote learning environmental restoration curriculum. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the participating teachers increased their content knowledge of STEM concepts and content related to the environmental restoration, specifically in terms of New York Harbor and oyster restoration, by participating in a remote learning curriculum pilot. New York City public school teachers of grades 6 through 12 instructed their students in the remote learning computer science curriculum lessons for one semester. A reflective survey was administered to the teachers at the conclusion of the semester and the findings indicated that 89% of the participating teachers experienced an increase in their knowledge of STEM concepts and content related to harbor and oyster restoration. The study was limited by the element of time and the model can be augmented in future iterations by increasing the length of the study to a full year of school and across several grade levels.