Why we care
There is an acute disparity in college achievement between rural and urban Oregonians. This project seeks to address gaps in ocean and environmental education and improve outcomes for Oregon’s underserved and rural youth. Particularly relevant to the state is ocean acidification, which imposes a significant threat to Oregon’s marine ecosystems and communities and economies that rely on them. This work increases ocean acidification awareness and literacy of populations that may have little experience of knowledge of this great impact to their state.
What we will do
Oregon State University’s Science Math Investigative Learning Experiences (SMILE) Program provides after-school STEM programs for elementary, middle and high school clubs. SMILE’s goal is to address education gaps and inequities and increase the number of Oregon underrepresented and underserved students who graduate from high school, pursue higher education, and succeed in STEM-related careers. The SMILE team will develop hands-on and grade-level-appropriate educational content that will follow NGSS standards. The team will create content in consultation with Oregon State University and Oregon Sea Grant faculty experts on ocean acidification. The team anticipates reaching 21 teachers (seven elementary, seven middle, and seven high school) and provide approximately 400 students with a series of Ocean and Coastal Acidification Education Experiences.
Educators who participate with SMILE will receive professional development on ocean and coastal acidification and pilot lessons in their after-school STEM clubs. Additionally, they will track student engagement and will provide feedback to inform future improvements. The team will further disseminate to the larger OSU Precollege Programs and partners’ networks.
Benefits of our work
Teachers with less experience or knowledge with ocean acidification don’t feel comfortable introducing it to their curricula or don’t understand the connection to teaching standards or relevance to students. This OSU SMILE Program project creates access and opportunities that broaden participation and enhance career awareness about ocean acidification for underserved racial/ethnic minority, low-income, first-generation, and other educationally disadvantaged rural students across Oregon.
Investigators
Renee O’Neill, Oregon State University
Image: Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach, Oregon (2024). Credit: Kevin Crosby (Creative Commons)