Lessons

Agenda

PROBLEMPROBLEM•• PROBLEMPROBLEM•• RST SOLUTIONRST SOLUTIONRST SOLUTIONRST SOLUTION•• RESULTSRESULTS•• STATUSSTATUS

WHAT’S NEXTWHAT’S NEXT•• WHAT’S NEXTWHAT’S NEXT

AMERICA, We’ve got a problem!AMERICA, We’ve got a problem!AMERICA, We ve got a problem!AMERICA, We ve got a problem!

The Problem

•• Media loaded with examples of US students’ poor performance Media loaded with examples of US students’ poor performance inin math/sciencemath/sciencein in math/sciencemath/science

•• Future Future of the US of the US technological lead; technological lead; ti l l i t dti l l i t daerospace particularly impacted aerospace particularly impacted

•• Early success in math is CRITICALEarly success in math is CRITICAL•• Not only key to science, but also Not only key to science, but also

because skills are because skills are cumulativecumulative

•• KK--12 graders have little knowledge (or 12 graders have little knowledge (or interest) in what engineers interest) in what engineers dodo

America’s Math and Science Deficit

•• American 8th grade students rank 15th in an international American 8th grade students rank 15th in an international study of math achievementstudy of math achievement 11study of math achievement.study of math achievement.11

•• By the time they graduate from high school, they score By the time they graduate from high school, they score near the bottom of all industrialized nations.near the bottom of all industrialized nations.22

•• The percentage of 24The percentage of 24--year olds year olds in the US with a science or in the US with a science or engineering degree (5.7%) is engineering degree (5.7%) is nearly half that of Taiwan nearly half that of Taiwan (11.1%), South Korea (10.9 %) (11.1%), South Korea (10.9 %) and the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom (10 7%)(10 7%) 11

1 From Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)2 According to “Pursuing Excellence: A Study of US 12th Grade Mathematics and Science Achievement in

(10.7%) (10.7%) 11

2 According to Pursuing Excellence: A Study of US 12th Grade Mathematics and Science Achievement in International Context,” National Study for Education Statistics

Reason to Worry

•• Children in US middle schools would rather clean their rooms, eat Children in US middle schools would rather clean their rooms, eat ,,vegetables, take out the garbage or visit the dentist than do their math vegetables, take out the garbage or visit the dentist than do their math homeworkhomework-- Raytheon Study; OC Register Apr Raytheon Study; OC Register Apr 20062006

•• Several studies suggest that after a Several studies suggest that after a strong math/science strong math/science position in the position in the 4th4th grade USgrade US studentsstudents fall behindfall behind4th 4th grade, US grade, US students students fall behind fall behind by by 8th grade and far 8th grade and far behind behind by by 1212thth

gradegrade-- TIMSS, Dept of TIMSS, Dept of EducationEducation, , 20002000

Reason to Worry

In 1999, American colleges granted 61K undergraduate degrees inIn 1999, American colleges granted 61K undergraduate degrees inIn 1999, American colleges granted 61K undergraduate degrees in In 1999, American colleges granted 61K undergraduate degrees in engineering. Japan produced 103K, European Union 134K and engineering. Japan produced 103K, European Union 134K and China 195K. Between 1991China 195K. Between 1991--2003, the California State University 2003, the California State University system experienced a 31% decline in engineering graduates.system experienced a 31% decline in engineering graduates.--Raytheon studyRaytheon study

US Students ranked 16th of 46US Students ranked 16th of 46US Students ranked 16th of 46 US Students ranked 16th of 46 nations in math/science with US nations in math/science with US scores among the lowest of scores among the lowest of industrialized nationsindustrialized nations AmericanAmericanindustrialized nationsindustrialized nations-- American American Institute for ResearchInstitute for Research

RSTRSTRSTRSTSOLUTION SOLUTION SOLUTION SOLUTION

Objective

ROCKET SCIENCE ROCKET SCIENCE TUTORSTUTORSROCKET SCIENCE ROCKET SCIENCE TUTORSTUTORS

Ensure America’s Ensure America’s technological future technological future Ensure America’s Ensure America’s technological future technological future by generating STEM interest in middle by generating STEM interest in middle

school students by augmentingschool students by augmentingby generating STEM interest in middle by generating STEM interest in middle

school students by augmentingschool students by augmentingschool students by augmenting school students by augmenting classroom education using “live” classroom education using “live”

ii i SUSTAINEDi SUSTAINED

school students by augmenting school students by augmenting classroom education using “live” classroom education using “live”

ii i SUSTAINEDi SUSTAINEDengineers engineers in a SUSTAINED in a SUSTAINED program.program.engineers engineers in a SUSTAINED in a SUSTAINED program.program.

Rocket Science Tutors

•• Uses real live engineers to reinforce and expand Uses real live engineers to reinforce and expand lesson plan lesson plan

•• AUGMENTS the lesson plan with realAUGMENTS the lesson plan with real--world world applicationsapplications

•• WEEKLY sessions repeat the messageWEEKLY sessions repeat the message•• Demonstrates Demonstrates

•• WHERE math is usedWHERE math is used•• WHY it’s importantWHY it’s important•• HOW it relates to science, HOW it relates to science,

technology and technology and engineeringengineering

•• Provides HANDSProvides HANDS--ON experienceON experience

RST Characteristics

RST differs from related effortsRST differs from related efforts--Direct approachDirect approach ENGINEERS IN THE CLASSROOMENGINEERS IN THE CLASSROOMDirect approachDirect approach-- ENGINEERS IN THE CLASSROOMENGINEERS IN THE CLASSROOMProfessional contactProfessional contact-- Learning by exampleLearning by exampleSustained EffortSustained Effort-- Long term, 24 weeksLong term, 24 weeksLow student/engineer ratioLow student/engineer ratio-- Average 5:1Average 5:1

RST allRST all--volunteer workforce provided >1400 studentvolunteer workforce provided >1400 studentRST allRST all--volunteer workforce provided >1400 student volunteer workforce provided >1400 student contact hours (at no cost to school) for ~ $2.85/hourcontact hours (at no cost to school) for ~ $2.85/hour

501 c501 c--3 Non3 Non--Profit statusProfit status

Approach

•• Encouragement/Enthusiasm/Passion from real EngineersEncouragement/Enthusiasm/Passion from real Engineers

•• Learning direct from engineers Learning direct from engineers has has a large a large impact; career impact; career

l il iplanningplanning

•• The Math/Science connectionThe Math/Science connection

•• Incorporate “handsIncorporate “hands--onon” building, ” building, measuring, calculating, measuring, calculating, g, g,g, g,comparingcomparing

Approach

•• AUGMENTS California Standards lesson AUGMENTS California Standards lesson plan with realplan with real--world world applicationsapplications

•• WEEKLY sessions repeat the messageWEEKLY sessions repeat the message•• WHERE WHERE math is usedmath is used•• WHY it’s importantWHY it’s important•• HOW it relates to science, HOW it relates to science,

technology and technology and engineeringengineering

•• Recurring themesRecurring themes•• Math is a ToolMath is a Tool•• Math is the language of scienceMath is the language of science•• Science & Engineering create our world Science & Engineering create our world

Labs

Labs are the backbone of RST sessionsLabs are the backbone of RST sessionsLabs are the backbone of RST sessionsLabs are the backbone of RST sessionsBuildingBuildingM iM iMeasuringMeasuringCalculatingCalculatingInterpretingInterpretingModifyingModifyingAsking “what if” Asking “what if” and “why”and “why”

Labs

Labs

Working at Learning

Fact Sheets

Handouts

RESU TSRESU TSRESU TSRESU TSRESULTSRESULTSRESULTSRESULTS

’06 Results

•• ~17 students have~17 students have17 students have 17 students have attended regularly attended regularly since January 2006since January 2006

•• 9 girls, 8 boys9 girls, 8 boys

Results show 0 6Results show 0 6•• Results show 0.6 Results show 0.6 correlation between correlation between RST attendance and RST attendance and improved test/quizimproved test/quizimproved test/quiz improved test/quiz scoresscores

Input from school officials Input from school officials

•• Voluntary attendance (after school) is extraordinary.Voluntary attendance (after school) is extraordinary.•• Parents have expressed appreciationParents have expressed appreciation•• Parents have expressed appreciation.Parents have expressed appreciation.•• Students are exposed to new terms, ideas and concepts.Students are exposed to new terms, ideas and concepts.

•• Students talk of “going to college” when Students talk of “going to college” when it was rarely expressed beforeit was rarely expressed before..

•• Topics covered in RST trigger “technical” Topics covered in RST trigger “technical” discussions outside of discussions outside of classclass

•• Students are researching related topics Students are researching related topics onon--line in the school’s computer lab.line in the school’s computer lab.

Student Quotes

•• “The field trip (to AIAA Space ’07) was a dream come true.”“The field trip (to AIAA Space ’07) was a dream come true.”•• “I've never had a B in math before.”“I've never had a B in math before.”•• “Every time I come here, I learn something new.”“Every time I come here, I learn something new.”•• “I think what is taught to me is going to help me in the “I think what is taught to me is going to help me in the

futurefuture.”.”•• “I feel smart.”“I feel smart.”

Student Quotes

•• RST helped me see how math and RST helped me see how math and ppscience are relatedscience are related

•• RST is what I look forward for all week. RST is what I look forward for all week. Make it four times a week.Make it four times a week.

•• It was very exciting and it helped me to be It was very exciting and it helped me to be a better thinkera better thinker

•• I love this program This was the bestI love this program This was the bestI love this program. This was the best I love this program. This was the best program I ever attended.program I ever attended.

•• It opened my eyes to the impact math and It opened my eyes to the impact math and science have on everyday lifescience have on everyday lifescience have on everyday lifescience have on everyday life

•• I got to do many interesting things and I got to do many interesting things and learned amazing factslearned amazing facts

Teacher Quotes

“The RST students are better rounded because of their participation in your “The RST students are better rounded because of their participation in your program. In addition, because of the edge they had over the others, many times program. In addition, because of the edge they had over the others, many times they assumed a leadership role in cooperative activities I firmly believe this wasthey assumed a leadership role in cooperative activities I firmly believe this wasthey assumed a leadership role in cooperative activities. I firmly believe this was they assumed a leadership role in cooperative activities. I firmly believe this was a direct result of the confidence they obtained from their RST involvement.”a direct result of the confidence they obtained from their RST involvement.”

Tony Espinoza, McFadden Intermediate SchoolTony Espinoza, McFadden Intermediate School

“Th l i thi f i l hi t l d hi l t“Th l i thi f i l hi t l d hi l t“The lessons in everything from simple machines to solar powered vehicles to “The lessons in everything from simple machines to solar powered vehicles to rocket propulsion helped students to see why subjects such as Algebra 1 are rocket propulsion helped students to see why subjects such as Algebra 1 are critical to engineers and scientists in their everyday work. The small learning critical to engineers and scientists in their everyday work. The small learning groups and the hands on lessons were all part of the overall success of the groups and the hands on lessons were all part of the overall success of the g p pg p ptutoring program.”tutoring program.”

David Janisch, Carr Intermediate SchoolDavid Janisch, Carr Intermediate School

“The Rocket Science (Tutors) Program is one of the best I have ever seen in“The Rocket Science (Tutors) Program is one of the best I have ever seen inThe Rocket Science (Tutors) Program is one of the best I have ever seen in The Rocket Science (Tutors) Program is one of the best I have ever seen in motivating students to learn and understand science. I have seen these motivating students to learn and understand science. I have seen these students become interested and excited about science because of their students become interested and excited about science because of their involvement in the program.”involvement in the program.”

D idD id DD C I t di t S h lC I t di t S h lDavid David DrayerDrayer, Carr Intermediate School, Carr Intermediate School

Lessons Learned

•• Volunteers Volunteers are are pricelesspriceless•• School support is essentialSchool support is essential

Logistics is criticalLogistics is critical•• Logistics is criticalLogistics is critical•• Student recruitment is requiredStudent recruitment is required•• Money is not the limiting factorMoney is not the limiting factorMoney is not the limiting factorMoney is not the limiting factor•• Proof of RST positive influence Proof of RST positive influence

difficult to discern from datadifficult to discern from data

THIS IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKS!THIS IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKS!

STATUSSTATUSSTATUSSTATUS

2010/11 Accomplishments

Completed 6Completed 6thth year of after school year of after school programs from Octoberprograms from October--AprilAprilprograms from Octoberprograms from October--AprilAprilOperated at four schoolsOperated at four schools--conductingconducting~150 rocket builds & launches~150 rocket builds & launchesPartnered with Boys & Girls Club Partnered with Boys & Girls Club and funded by Time Warner Cable and funded by Time Warner Cable to add new schoolsto add new schoolsParticipated in Time Warner Cable’s Participated in Time Warner Cable’s “Connect A Million Minds” Global “Connect A Million Minds” Global Town Hall MeetingTown Hall MeetingTown Hall MeetingTown Hall MeetingExecuted field trip to UCI engineering labsExecuted field trip to UCI engineering labsGained 15+ volunteersGained 15+ volunteersAdd d El i O i L b d l dAdd d El i O i L b d l dAdded Electromagnetism, Optics Labs and several demosAdded Electromagnetism, Optics Labs and several demos

Working at Learning

Working at Learning

WHAT’S WHAT’S WHAT S WHAT S NEXTNEXTNEXTNEXT

What’s Next

•• Learn from our experienceLearn from our experience

•• Revise existing labsRevise existing labsgg

•• Create new labs / demosCreate new labs / demos

•• Gather more volunteers, Gather more volunteers, money money and enthusiasmand enthusiasm

EXPAND!EXPAND!

The Situation

•• America has a problemAmerica has a problem

•• RST has a solutionRST has a solution

•• Technical community needed to implementTechnical community needed to implement

Join The Fight

•• Crisis situation exists in the technical education Crisis situation exists in the technical education pipelinepipeline

•• It’s up to usIt’s up to us---- We can’t depend on the governmentWe can’t depend on the governmentRST h d t t d th t fRST h d t t d th t f “E i i“E i i•• RST has demonstrated the concept of RST has demonstrated the concept of “Engineers in “Engineers in the Classroom” the Classroom” is viable & is viable & scalablescalable

•• The solution is grassThe solution is grass--roots involvement by the roots involvement by the e so ut o s g asse so ut o s g ass oots o e e t by t eoots o e e t by t etechnical communitytechnical community

•• Small input can make a significant Small input can make a significant impactimpact

•• GET INVOLVED! GET INVOLVED! rocketsciencetutors.comrocketsciencetutors.com

Discussion

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?