Concept Diagram of the NSF GK-12 Grant Program

NSF Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education (GK-12)
Program goals for this initiative include:
1. Model a sustainable, replicable school district/university partnership.
2. Increase and diversify the pipeline of engineering and technology students.
3. Enrich STEM learning by K-12 students.
4. Enhance the capability and impact of the Fellows.
5. Improve teachers' skill and comfort with STEM content knowledge and pedagogy.
6. Enhance STEM Curricula with hands-on materials and instruction.
7. Disseminate results nationwide.

NSF GK-12 Project Summary
The Inspiring and Building Tomorrow's Workforce: A Grades 3-12 Engineering Continuum program is a transformative, 10-year pre-engineering continuum to benefit seven schools serving diverse students traditionally underrepresented in engineering. The project will annually prepare eight graduate engineering Fellows to deliver hands-on, engineering-focused STEM curricula in grades 3-8 classes in specific Lafayette and Denver schools. The inquiry-based curriculum exploits engineering to enrich science and math content to help youngsters better understand their everyday world. The intent is to enhance grades 3-8 STEM learning to prepare and interest youngsters to take advantage of new pre-engineering programs at two high schools (the Pre-Engineering Academy at Centaurus High School in Lafayette, and the Denver School of Science & Technology in Denver), and ultimately demonstrate substantial enrollment of the high school graduates in collegiate science and engineering programs. The engineering Fellows impact students with diverse learning styles and actively assist K-12 teachers in gaining content knowledge and addressing appropriate state standards. The Fellows are trained in teaching and communication skills while they serve as active conduits for knowledge transfer. 

Our initial 48 NSF GK-12 Fellows taught in 183 classrooms over four years, enhancing student and teacher STEM knowledge and increasing their awareness of engineering as a profession. The renewal (a five-year grant starting in January 2004) of our previous grant builds upon existing relationships and infrastructure with two school districts. The engineering student Fellows fill a critical gap in the two-way exchange of content and pedagogy between CU and the K-12 community of learners. Using the K-12 TeachEngineering digital library curricula, the GK-12 Fellows (8 graduate students and 4 undergraduate students for each year of the project) are trained in communication, teaching and pedagogy skills to deliver standards-based STEM content, and serve as engineering role models for students and teachers in seven schools. An evaluation plan is in place to track longitudinal trends and document project outcomes. The College commits to project permanency through funding of four K-12 Outreach Fellowships, enriching its graduate education program.