The Summer Scholars STEM Institute supports preservice teachers in using culturally and linguistically sustaining practices to teach science and engineering to rising 4-8 grade emergent bilingual students from local schools.
The project aims to generate new knowledge about the experiences of elementary and middle grade pre-service teachers as they develop teaching skills with a focus on science and engineering, targeting the needs of Emergent Bilingual Students. Second, the project assesses the impact of elementary and middle grade pre-service teachers’ instruction on emergent bilingual students’ knowledge and competency. Our third goal is to construct meaningful learning experiences in science and engineering with grades 4-8 emergent bilingual students in a flexible, yet rigorous, summer program.
Participating school districts recruit the program participants. The SSSI runs for 15 days in June. The SSSI is free for students; transportation (bus drivers assign pick up and drop off spots for students), lunch, and materials are also provided for students. The student schedule is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
