Transcript Building a Successful K-12 Outreach Program

Building Successful K-12
Outreach Programs
By
Sigrid Clift
Bureau of Economic Geology
Jackson School of Geosciences
The University of Texas at Austin
Building Successful K-12
Outreach Programs
• Presentation Outline
–
–
–
–
–
–
What is outreach?
Who are the audiences?
What is a successful K-12 program?
Why is a K-12 program important?
What are the types of K-12 programs?
What are the challenges of K-12
programs?
Building Successful K-12
Outreach Programs
• Definition
– Outreach is teaching and research
outside of an organization that
directly benefit the public.
Building Successful K-12
Outreach Programs
• Audience
– Technical
• Industry
• Government agencies
– Nontechnical
• K-16
• General public
Building Successful K-12
Outreach Programs
• A successful program will
– Identify the needs of teachers and
students
– Be based on those needs
– Work with educators to design
programs
Building Successful K-12
Outreach Programs
• Why are K-12 programs important?
– To help teachers
• Increase student literacy
• Develop critical thinking skills
• Prepare students to make informed
decisions
Building Successful K-12
Outreach Programs
• Types of Programs
–
–
–
–
Curriculum
Professional development for teachers
Classroom activities
Experiences outside of the classroom
for students
Building Successful K-12
Outreach Programs
• Many programs are available but not used
– Programs that aren’t aligned with
curriculum standards
– Teacher issues
• Weak background in subject matter
• Lack of training to teach program
– Not all schools have tools needed to
use program
Building Successful K-12
Outreach Programs
• To Ensure a Successful Program
– Develop programs aligned with TEKS
• Located on Texas Education Agency Web site at
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/index.html
– Offer training to teachers
• Include follow-up training or technical support
– Offer programs in more than one format
• Web, CD, video, paper, etc.
– Form partnerships
• To enhance K-12 programs
• To improve funding chances
Building Successful K-12
Outreach Programs
• Challenges
– Develop resources to sustain a
successful program
– Achieve desired results
– Form partnerships
– Promote interest within organization
Building Successful K-12
Outreach Programs
• Conclusions
– Successful K-12 outreach
• Should directly benefit teachers and students
• Successful programs
– Will meet the needs of the teachers and students
– Will teach students
» How to use critical thinking skills
» How to make informed decisions
– Will provide teachers with much-needed training
• Must be sustainable
– Resources
– Partnerships
• Needs support from within organization