Baltimore City Schools Middle School STEM Summer Program with VEX Robotics
About the Intervention
The Baltimore City Schools Middle School STEM Summer Program with VEX Robotics is a five-week summer program for rising sixth through eighth grade students that combines mathematics and science instruction with VEX robotics enrichment. The program consists of a half-day of instruction in mathematics and science and a half-day of enrichment activities. The robotics workshop teaches students the fundamentals of building robots and provides time for teams to build their own robots and participate in competitions. The program was implemented over three summers (2012-2014) at multiple school sites throughout Baltimore City. Teachers received professional development in mathematics and robotics prior to and during the program. The program specifically targeted students scoring Basic on the prior year's Maryland School Assessment in mathematics, though other students were also accepted.
Statistical Findings
Positive effect on attendance in year following 2012 program
No effect on mathematics achievement following 2012 or 2013 programs
No effect on college aspirations following 2013 or 2014 programs
No effect on STEM college major aspirations following 2013 or 2014 programs
No effect on STEM career aspirations following 2013 or 2014 programs
More Intervention Details
Focus Areas
Economically DisadvantagedPrograms & Services
N/ADelivery Methods
Face-to-FaceDisability Support
N/ATarget Groups
Student(s), Teachers/Instructional TeamsSource
Douglas J., M. I. & Martha Abele, M. I. (2015). The Baltimore City Schools Middle School STEM Summer Program with VEX Robotics (ED570654). ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED570654.pdf.
Study Demographics
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