Summary
- Major: Secondary Education, Nevada Teach Biology
- Faculty Mentor: Dr. Rose Ann Gutierrez
- Research Topic: Evaluating Unequal Access to Effective STEM Curriculum in Washoe County School District
- New Scholar: 2023 Cohort
- Graduating with a Baccalaureate Degree: 2024
Abstract
Educational disparities in Washoe County School District (WCSD), Nevada’s second most populated school district, may occur due to inequitable access to effective STEM instruction in classrooms. One type of effective STEM instruction is Project-Based Instruction (PBI), which uses multidisciplinary approaches to solve real world problems while following state standards. This study aims to evaluate if high school biology students from large low-income student populations, like Title I schools, receive effective STEM instruction less than their peers at non-Title I schools. Using mixed-methods, I will collect data through a quantitative survey from 15 biology teachers in WCSD about the frequency of PBI lessons in their classrooms, followed by case study interviews with eight teachers for their perspectives on PBI. No conclusions can be supported yet, as this project is still in the data collection phase. This study will aid in creating equitable student opportunities in WCSD by evaluating if disparities are taking place in WCSD. The data gathered from this study can one day be used to determine resource allocation (if needed), to increase the usage of PBI in high school biology classes across the district.