University Of Arkansas Science Partnership Program

Abstract

Dr. Clausen currently serves as Adam Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Arkansas. His research interests include bioprocess engineering (fermentations, kinetics, reactor design, bioseparations, process scale-up and design), gas phase fermentations, and the production of energy and chemicals from biomass and waste. Dr. Clausen is a registered professional engineer in the state of Arkansas.

Developing Lifelong Learning Skills For Middle School Teachers: Devising Their Own Engineering And Science Hands On Activities

“…12 Participating schools and teachers committed to full participation in the three-year program. 13,14 Follow-up activities during the academic year, including observations by UA mentors and participating science teachers, were designed to provide additional time for inquiry, reflection, and mentoring and to sustain the long-term practice of including hands-on laboratory activities aligned with the Science Frameworks.…”

“…For each activity, the Institute provided: 1) a presentation and discussion of the topic background; 2) time to perform the experiment by teachers working in teams; 3) discussion of the experiment, including possible alterations and the problems and/or limitations for use in their classrooms; 4) discussion on how the experiment fits into the state mandated science frameworks; 5) an activity and Institute evaluation; 6) supplies provided to carry out the laboratory activities; 7) a notebook and memory stick containing background material and suggestions for each experiment, a detailed equipment list, a list of experimental procedures and any safety issues to be addressed. Davis, Gattis and Clausen (2007) 13,14 provide a more detailed description of the year one Summer Institute and follow-up activities.…”

“…Teachers are often uncomfortable with experiments and activity principles they may not fully understand. 13,14 With the No Child Left Behind legislation, teachers may be unclear how an activity fits within the legislation frameworks and guidelines, so they do not include such activities in their lesson plans.…”

Uaspp: Three Years Of Helping Middle School Teachers Devise Their Own Hands On Engineering And Science Activities

“…Teachers were divided into groups of four to five members from different schools and grade levels and asked to perform the experiments with the assistance of UA faculty. Further details of the Year 1 institute and follow-up activities were presented by Davis et al 5,6 Preparing a mold terrarium 6…”

“…These evaluations were given daily during each summer institute, and consistently showed that the teachers were very impressed with the content of each of the summer institutes, the knowledge and help of the moderators, and the hands-on experiments that they were able to take back to their classrooms. Details of Year 1 and Year 2 institute evaluations were presented by Davis et al 6,9 Perhaps a better measure of the success of the program is the use of the institute activities in the classroom. As is noted in Table 8, 9 shows a summary of the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 use of the design activities by the teachers, as reported on surveys collected throughout the school year.…”