The impact of STEM graduate students in the professional development of middle school teachers implementing a problem-based inquiry learning curriculum

Science Learning Integrating Design, Engineering, and Robotics (SLIDER) is a five year NSFfunded research project that involves collaboration between K-12 educators, university faculty, and educational outreach specialists. The project's objective is to design and implement a problem-based learning curriculum using engineering design and LEGO robotics as the context for teaching eighth grade physical science content and process skills. One of the components of the project is to utilize science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduate students (Fellows) to support curriculum goals and facilitate student learning while providing the Fellows with K-12 classroom experience. A long-range goal of our project is to study the impact of the Fellows on the professional development of teachers in terms of (a) implementation of instructional strategies, (b) increasing teaching efficacy, (c) development of content knowledge, and (d) delivery of the SLIDER curriculum with fidelity.