Open AccessContextualizing technology in the classroom via remote access: Using space exploration themes and scanning electron microscopy as tools to promote engagement in multidisciplinary geology/chemistry experiments
Author(s) -
Brandon Rodriguez,
Veronica Jaramillo,
Vanessa Wolf,
Esteban Juan Bautista,
Jennifer Portillo,
Alexandra Brouke,
Ashley Min,
Andrea Melendez,
Joseph M. Amann,
Abdon PenaFrancesch,
Jared Ashcroft
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of technology and science education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.351
H-Index - 9
eISSN - 2014-5349
pISSN - 2013-6374
DOI - 10.3926/jotse.341
Subject(s) - multidisciplinary approach , space (punctuation) , chemistry , mathematics education , psychology , nanotechnology , sociology , computer science , materials science , social science , operating system
A multidisciplinary science experiment was performed in K-12 classrooms focusing on the interconnection of technology with geology and chemistry. The engagement and passion for science of over eight hundred students across twenty-one classrooms, utilizing a combination of hands-on activities to study the relationships between Earth and space rock studies, followed by a remote access session wherein students remotely employed the use of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to validate their findings was investigated. Participants were from predominantly low-income minority communities, with little exposure to the themes and equipment used, despite being freely available resources. Students indicated greatly increased interest in scientific practices and careers, as well as a better grasp of the content as a result of the lab and remote access coupling format.