Weyerhaeuser Student Science Leaders Program

Grant Goals

• Increase the ability of teachers to develop project-based learning experiences that integrate and apply ICT concepts, skills applications, and research-based pedagogies in science, so they can help students acquire the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to participate productively in the STEM workforce.
• Increase student interest and engagement in science coursework through the use of technology- infused science projects, leading to increased student academic success in middle school science.
• Increase student awareness of and interest in STEM-intensive careers.
• Ensure students are meeting state and nationally mandated requirements for technology literacy.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the WSSL model and disseminate findings to enrich the knowledge base about strategies for improving the STEM/ICT workforce.

Kijana Voices will work with Mill Creek Middle School to establish the first chapter of the Weyerhaeuser Student Science Leaders in 2009, training science teacher and student peer mentors and providing materials and resources to the club. The Weyerhaeuser Student Science Leaders will use the TechYES Science model to ensure that all Mill Creek seventh graders meet the ISTE NETS standards for technology literacy by creating two high-tech science projects, one exploring a science career and one demonstrating their knowledge of a topic in science. The Student Science Leaders in the club will assist their classmates in learning technology and evaluating projects, while science teachers will participate in professional development training with Kijana Voices and benefit from new equipment to help engage their students in authentic 21st century science.