January 9, 2018

Experiential Practices in Education Research and Teaching in STEM (ExPERTS) is a new fellowship program supported by the Chappell-Culpeper Family Foundation, Colonial School District, Roxborough High School and CASTLE. ExPERTS introduces vertical mentoring into the model of the previously-funded National Science Foundation STEM GK-12 program at Drexel. STEM teams are established—typically consisting of one STEM Graduate Fellow, one STEM Undergraduate Fellow from the DragonsTeach STEM certification program and one local K-12 Teacher - to develop and implement inquiry-based modules in STEM K-12 classrooms. 

The overall goals of ExPERTS are to: 

· Enhance the ability of Fellows and Teachers to design technology-based supportive materials and integrate them into the classroom as contextual motivators that enrich student learning; 

· Build Fellows’ foundation in pedagogy and inquiry-based instruction and improve their communication, mentoring, and leadership skills; 

· Increase high school students’ knowledge, skills, and interest in STEM disciplines;

· Strengthen the partnership between area school districts and Drexel University

- Develop a scalable vertical mentoring model to support undergraduate and graduate Fellows and school teachers.

This academic year, ExPERTS has created Teacher/Fellows teams out of 5 Drexel Engineering Ph.D. students, 3 Science and Engineering K-12 teachers and 1 DragonsTeach Biology undergraduate co-op student - teams are working in STEM classrooms at Girard Academic Music Program in Philadelphia and Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School in Plymouth Meeting.