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Mentoring BUGS: an integrated science and technology curriculum.

Article Excerpt
The current study describes an authentic learning experience



designed to develop technology and science process skills through a carefully scaffolded curriculum using mealworms as a content focus. An individual mentor assigned to each 4th and 5th grade girl participating in the program delivered the curriculum. Results indicate mastery of science process skills related to research questioning, forming hypotheses, developing procedures, and writing a conclusion, while analysis was an area warranting improvement. Presentations by participants suggest strong knowledge of PowerPoint and Excel and the ability to use this knowledge to report scientific findings.

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Dyani becomes very excited when she talks about her experiences with BUGS. Now these are not just any BUGS. In fact, we are not talking about arthropods at all, but rather 4th and 5th grade girls who are participating in a program at the University of North Texas (UNT) called Bringing Up Girls in Science (BUGS).

BUGS is a gender equity grant funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and provides an after school environmental science program for 4th and 5th grade girls. The goal of the BUGS program is to provide exceptional learning experiences that increase girls' knowledge, interest, participation, and self-concept in areas related to environmental science as they engage in hands on science and technology learning experiences. These goals are facilitated by numerous partnerships which include: local elementary schools, parents, mentors, the Texas Center for Educational Technology (TCET) and the Elm Fork Education Center, a public education branch of the UNT Environmental Science Department.

At the beginning of each year, BUGS recruitment packets are distributed to principals, teachers, students and parents in partner schools around Texas and New Mexico. Simultaneously, informational presentations are conducted to provide information about the program including criteria for participation and application materials. In an effort to provide equal access for all program participants, bus transportation is provided throughout the year. Girls are picked up from each of the partner schools and transported to UNT one day each week. At the conclusion of each BUGS after school meeting, each girl is returned to her place of residence.

From the applicants, approximately forty 4th and 5th grade girls are selected to participate in a yearlong science program. The girls participate in a variety of carefully selected hands-on learning activities inside and outside the classroom. Participants interact with mentors, and parents receive training to help facilitate program goals. The BUGS program has demonstrated that such a program can enable significant cognitive, social, and emotional growth for girls participating in the program. More information about the BUGS program may be found at the following website: http://www.coe.unt.edu/bugs/index.html.

DISCUSSION

Who are the TAMS Mentors?

Mentors for the BUGS program are drawn from a pool of female high school students from the Texas Academy of Math and Science (TAMS), a program for gifted and talented high school juniors and seniors who complete two years of college coursework at UNT while finishing requirements for a state high school diploma. The TAMS mentors are the frontline mentoring source for the BUGS girls. Responsibilities of the TAMS mentors include assisting the mentee with a science project involving the use of technology, and making biweekly contact with the mentee over the course of the academic year (Adams, 1999). Conceptually, the TAMS mentor is a guide. She is there to assist the mentee with regard to acquisition of technology skills, science knowledge, and science process skills. Also, the TAMS mentor creates a social context that fosters interest, participation,...