This document outlines lessons learned from Rocket Science Tutors (RST), a program that aims to generate STEM interest in middle school students. It discusses the problem of poor US performance in math and science, and how RST works to augment classroom education with weekly sessions led by volunteer engineers. Results show some correlation between RST attendance and improved test scores. Feedback from teachers and students is positive. The document reviews accomplishments in the 2010-11 school year and calls for expanding the program by revising labs, creating new activities, and gaining more volunteers and funding. It argues that grassroots involvement is needed to address America's deficit in technical education.

1. Lessons

2. Agenda
• PROBLEM
• RST SOLUTION
• RESULTS
• STATUS
• WHAT’S NEXT

3. AMERICA, We’ve got a problem!
We ve

4. The Problem
• Media loaded with examples of US students’ poor performance
in math/science
• Future of the US technological lead;
aerospace particularly impacted
ti l l i t d
• Early success in math is CRITICAL
• Not only key to science, but also
because skills are cumulative
• K-12 graders have little knowledge (or
interest) in what engineers do

5. America’s Math and
Science Deficit
• American 8th grade students rank 15th in an international
study of math achievement.1
achievement
• By the time they graduate from high school, they score
near the bottom of all industrialized nations.2
• The percentage of 24-year olds
24-
in the US with a science or
engineering degree (5.7%) is
nearly half that of Taiwan
(11.1%), South Korea (10.9 %)
and the United Kingdom
(10 7%) 1
(10.7%)
1 From Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)
2 According to “Pursuing Excellence: A Study of US 12th Grade Mathematics and Science Achievement in
Pursuing
International Context,” National Study for Education Statistics

6. Reason to Worry
• Children in US middle schools would rather clean their rooms, eat
,
vegetables, take out the garbage or visit the dentist than do their math
homework-
homework- Raytheon Study; OC Register Apr 2006
• Several studies suggest that after a
strong math/science position in the
4th grade US students fall behind
grade,
by 8th grade and far behind by 12th
grade-
grade- TIMSS, Dept of Education, 2000
Education,

7. Reason to Worry
In 1999, American colleges granted 61K undergraduate degrees in
engineering. Japan produced 103K, European Union 134K and
China 195K. Between 1991-2003, the California State University
1991-
system experienced a 31% decline in engineering graduates.-
graduates.-
Raytheon study
US Students ranked 16th of 46
nations in math/science with US
scores among the lowest of
industrialized nations- American
nations-
Institute for Research

8. RST
SOLUTION

9. Objective
ROCKET SCIENCE TUTORS
Ensure America’s technological future
by generating STEM interest in middle
school students by augmenting
classroom education using “live”
engineers i a SUSTAINED program.
i in

10. Rocket Science Tutors
• Uses real live engineers to reinforce and expand lesson plan
• AUGMENTS the lesson plan with real-world applications
real-
• WEEKLY sessions repeat the message
• Demonstrates
• WHERE math is used
• WHY it’s important
• HOW it relates to science,
technology and engineering
• Provides HANDS-ON experience
HANDS-

11. RST Characteristics
RST differs from related efforts-
efforts-
Direct approach- ENGINEERS IN THE CLASSROOM
approach-
Professional contact- Learning by example
contact-
Sustained Effort- Long term, 24 weeks
Effort-
Low student/engineer ratio- Average 5:1
ratio-
RST all-volunteer workforce provided >1400 student
all-
contact hours (at no cost to school) for ~ $2.85/hour
501 c-3 Non-Profit status
c- Non-

12. Approach
• Encouragement/Enthusiasm/Passion from real Engineers
• Learning direct from engineers
has a large impact; career
planning
l i
• The Math/Science connection
• Incorporate “hands-on” building,
“hands-on”
measuring, calculating,
g, g,
comparing

13. Approach
• AUGMENTS California Standards lesson plan with real-world
real-
applications
• WEEKLY sessions repeat the message
• WHERE math is used
• WHY it’s important
• HOW it relates to science,
technology and engineering
• Recurring themes
• Math is a Tool
• Math is the language of science
• Science & Engineering create our world

14. Labs
Labs are the backbone of RST sessions
Building
Measuring
M i
Calculating
Interpreting
Modifying
Asking “what if”
and “why”

15. Labs

16. Labs

17. Working at Learning

18. Fact Sheets

19. Handouts

20. RESULTS
RESU TS

21. ’06 Results
• ~17 students have
17
attended regularly
since January 2006
• 9 girls, 8 boys
• Results show 0.6
06
correlation between
RST attendance and
improved test/quiz
scores

22. Input from school officials
• Voluntary attendance (after school) is extraordinary.
• Parents have expressed appreciation
appreciation.
• Students are exposed to new terms, ideas and concepts.
• Students talk of “going to college” when
it was rarely expressed before.
before.
• Topics covered in RST trigger “technical”
discussions outside of class
• Students are researching related topics
on-
on-line in the school’s computer lab.

23. Student Quotes
• “The field trip (to AIAA Space ’07) was a dream come true.”
• “I've never had a B in math before.”
• “Every time I come here, I learn something new.”
• “I think what is taught to me is going to help me in the
future.”
future.”
• “I feel smart.”

24. Student Quotes
• RST helped me see how math and
p
science are related
• RST is what I look forward for all week.
Make it four times a week.
• It was very exciting and it helped me to be
a better thinker
• I love this program. This was the best
program
program I ever attended.
• It opened my eyes to the impact math and
science have on everyday life
• I got to do many interesting things and
learned amazing facts

25. Teacher Quotes
“The RST students are better rounded because of their participation in your
program. In addition, because of the edge they had over the others, many times
they assumed a leadership role in cooperative activities I firmly believe this was
activities.
a direct result of the confidence they obtained from their RST involvement.”
Tony Espinoza, McFadden Intermediate School
“The lessons i everything from simple machines to solar powered vehicles to
“Th l in thi f i l hi t l d hi l t
rocket propulsion helped students to see why subjects such as Algebra 1 are
critical to engineers and scientists in their everyday work. The small learning
g
groups and the hands on lessons were all part of the overall success of the
p p
tutoring program.”
David Janisch, Carr Intermediate School
“The Rocket Science (Tutors) Program is one of the best I have ever seen in
The
motivating students to learn and understand science. I have seen these
students become interested and excited about science because of their
involvement in the program.”
David Drayer, C
D id D Drayer, Carr I t
Intermediate School
di t S h l

26. Lessons Learned
• Volunteers are priceless
• School support is essential
• Logistics is critical
• Student recruitment is required
• Money is not the limiting factor
• Proof of RST positive influence
difficult to discern from data
THIS IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKS!

27. STATUS

28. 2010/11 Accomplishments
Completed 6th year of after school
programs from October-April
October-
Operated at four schools-conducting
schools-
~150 rocket builds & launches
Partnered with Boys & Girls Club
and funded by Time Warner Cable
to add new schools
Participated in Time Warner Cable’s
“Connect A Million Minds” Global
Town Hall Meeting
Executed field trip to UCI engineering labs
Gained 15+ volunteers
Added El
Add d Electromagnetism, Optics Labs and several demos
i O i L b d ld

29. Working at Learning

30. Working at Learning

31. WHAT’S
WHAT S
NEXT

32. What’s Next
• Learn from our experience
• Revise existing labs
g
• Create new labs / demos
• Gather more volunteers,
money and enthusiasm
EXPAND!

33. The Situation
• America has a problem
• RST has a solution
• Technical community needed to implement

34. Join The Fight
• Crisis situation exists in the technical education
pipeline
• It’s up to us-- We can’t depend on the government
us--
• RST h d
has demonstrated th concept of “E i
t t d the t f “Engineers in
i
the Classroom” is viable & scalable
• The so ut o is grass-roots involvement by t e
e solution s grass- oots
g ass o e e t the
technical community
• Small input can make a significant impact
• GET INVOLVED! rocketsciencetutors.com

35. Discussion
QUESTIONS?