5-13 STEM Outreach to Enhance Coastal Literacy Among Elementary School Students: Science Educators’ Reflections to Inform Future Practice

Session: Nearshore and Estuarine Research: Dynamics and Future Resiliency in the Coastal Zone (Posters)

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This study reflects an outreach project that engaged third-grade students in STEM through project-based inquiry on beaches and coasts. The project aimed to foster students’ interest in coastal environments, cultivate a sense of care for these ecosystems, build relevant knowledge and skills, and nurture their critical thinking in STEM fields. To this end, over the course of the semester, we experimented this project with 20 students in one third-grade class, taught by the same science teachers (who are co-authors of this article). We structured the project around five interconnected topics, each building on the previous one(s) to promote a coherent and cumulative learning experience. These five topics include (1) exploring beach sand; (2) investigating water; (3) studying severe weather; (4) creating and measuring waves; and (5) understanding beach erosion. Each topic of learning was delivered in one hour filled with hands-on activities with guidance. A beach field trip to Sandy Hook, NJ was organized to connect classroom learning to real-world applications. This outreach is concluded with a celebratory event where students present their work and reflect on their learning. This study may serve as reference materials for elementary teachers interested in applying them in their classes.

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