Research Projects
2018 Engaging and Empowering Urban Youth through Schoolyard Habitat Restoration and Conservation Education– An Innovative Middle School Program
Period: March 1, 2018 - Present
Contact: Amber Edwards, Christine (Jie) Li, Hannah Hemmelgarn
Organization: University of Missouri
Funding Source: Praire Fork Trust
Objectives: The team will study how to design an interdisciplinary, natural sciences + schoolyard garden and conservation activities to engage and empower urban youth in an informal, after-school program. They will investigate how to leverage the collaboration among university, agency, K-12 schools, and a green space as learning site to engage women, minorities, and urban students who would typically shy away from STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)
to learn about Missouri natural resources, wildlife and habitat, native plant garden, aquatic resources, prairie restoration, and soil health. The funding will allow the team to advance new approaches and evidence-based understanding of the design and development of effective gateway to STEM learning in informal environments. The project includes providing multiple pathways for broadening access to and engagement in STEM learning experiences, advancing innovative research to broaden participation among underrepresented groups, assessment of STEM learning in informal environments, and developing understanding of how to measure conservation awareness among youth.