Survey results confirm that MySci science education program is meeting its mission

Posted: 03/12/2009

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Justin Lopinot, Standing Partnership
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STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AGREE: MYSCI PROGRAM WORKS!
Survey results confirm that science education program is meeting its mission

ST. LOUIS (March 11, 2009) - Tests and surveys completed by K-2 students and their teachers before and after their involvement with MySci confirm that the St. Louis-based science education program is achieving its mission of enhancing a sense of wonder and interest in science.

The tests and surveys were designed by Dr. Katherine Beyer, MySci's external evaluation consultant. A sample of participating teachers administered the pre- and post-MySci program tests to more than 400 students. For the surveys, more than 200 teachers were queried during MySci's professional development in the summer and then again after implementing a MySci curriculum unit during the school year.

The results show that MySci improves student learning in science, with test scores increasing across the board. Kindergartners, whose lessons focus on animal science, saw their test scores rise by an average of 12.5 percentage points. First-graders (who study plant science) and second-graders (earth science) improved their test scores by averages of 6 and 7 percentage points, respectively.

The program also gets teachers excited about teaching science. Those who participated in MySci's professional development program showed significant gains in:

• Understanding of teaching inquiry-based lessons;
• Attitude toward teaching science; and
• Openness to changing the way they teach science.

"MySci engages student and teacher interest in science, giving all schools a strong starting point for science education and contributing toward closing the achievement gap among participating schools," said Ann McMahon, program director of MySci.

"This foundation can lead to success on MAP tests," McMahon said.

"MySci focuses on K-2 and Missouri tests for science in fifth grade. However, research shows that many students, especially girls, lose interest in science by fourth grade," she said. "We provide a basic structure that teachers can build on in later grades, helping to sustain interest in science through the more challenging years."

The benefits aren't just academic - students enjoy the learning opportunities offered by the Investigation Stations visits. Ninety-one percent of students want an Investigation Station to return to their school, and 85 said they would like the next visit to last longer.

About MySci
MySci, funded by Monsanto, is a collaborative effort among the following institutions: Washington University in St. Louis, the Saint Louis Science Center, the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Saint Louis Zoo. MySci's mission is to enhance a sense of wonder and interest in science for children and their teachers. The MySci program gives early elementary students all over St. Louis the chance to study science through inquiry. It provides curriculum books and classroom kits in the topics of plants, animals and the earth. It also includes a visit from an Investigation Station, a roving vehicle of innovative exhibits and specimens that make learning through climbing, crawling, seeing, hearing and smelling more exciting than ever. MySci is getting an early start on recruiting the next generation of scientists.

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