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Engaging Latinx students in scientific inquiry and metacognition through an interdisciplinary summer program
Summary
Researchers examined the impact of an interdisciplinary informal STEM summer program on Latinx high school students, finding that authentic inquiry experiences enhanced science and engineering practice skills, positively shaped attitudes toward STEM including environmental science topics such as microplastic research, and facilitated metacognitive transfer to formal learning settings.
Abstract Informal learning experiences can provide PK-12 students with the opportunity to enhance their learning of, attitudes toward, and interest in STEM. This study explored the impact of informal STEM learning experiences on Latinx high school students. Through an authentic STEM program, we investigated how students' science and engineering skills, practices, and knowledge were influenced, as well as their attitudes and interest in STEM. Additionally, we examined the transferability of their learning from informal to formal educational settings. Our findings indicated that this innovative approach enhanced student learning of science and engineering practices, positively shaped their attitudes toward STEM, and facilitated metacognitive transfer to formal learning environments.
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