Students and Teachers As Research Scientists

"Students and Teachers As Research Scientists" (STARS) is a program that introduces both rising high school juniors and seniors and their teachers to the various aspects of the scientific enterprise as practiced by successful scientists in academic, private and governmental research institutions.

Forty-eight rising high potential secondary school students and 24 science teachers have the opportunity to participate in research projects in anthropology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth science, engineering, mathematics, physics or psychology at one of the collaborating research institutions: Saint Louis University, Washington University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Food and Drug Administration, Monsanto Company, Boeing Corporation, or the Army Corps of Engineers. During this six week (plus an optional seventh week) summer program students and teachers do research in a community of investigators under the supervision of a practicing research mentor. Through teacher-student-mentor partnerships, participants apply various problem solving strategies to independent research projects, write technical reports and orally present their results in a seminar format. In addition, teachers prepare a detailed lesson and accompanying teacher guide based on the learning cycle instructional strategy relating to the use of the laboratory information from their research experience.

Formal instruction is provided in oral and written communication skills, basic statistical analysis, and the process of developing learning cycle-based lessons and their presentation in the classroom. Career confabs in the form of discussion with practitioners and laboratory rounds at each institution are used to introduce students to a variety of career opportunities.

Each teacher-student partnership is expected to present their research-based lesson in their school setting at least once during the school year and utilize an instrument to measure its effectiveness in both the cognitive and affective domains. Eight academic year follow up meetings at various research sites provide an opportunity for teachers and their associated students to share with program peers, other invited students and interested research scientists the science lessons they have created, used and tested.

The STARS bulletin board established by the University of Missouri-St. Louis Office of Computer Service is accessible to all students and teachers in the metropolitan area. The bulletin board deals with materials, activities and issues involving the STARS goals. A listserve for STARS participants allows use of e-mail and Internet service through the University. The services provide continued interaction among participants, resources of the partner institutions, and the faculty.

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