Grace Kulmacz
Research Mentor: Emily Gochis
Mentor Department: Center for Education Design, Evaluation, and Research (CEDER), Education
Author(s): Grace Kulmacz, Emily Gochis, Darin Stockdill
Session: Session 3 (11:00 AM – 11:50 AM)
Presentation Type:
Abstract
This study explores the work of K-12 educators who are part of the UM Sustainability Teacher Fellowship (STF), which is run by the Center for Education Design, Evaluation, and Research (CEDER) at the Marsal Family School of Education. This study analyzes their student sustainability projects to develop a tool that helps educators measure and extend their impact. Research involved a literature review of studies on place-based sustainability programs, a review and analysis of STF project posters and plans from past STF educators, and the identification of common tools and metrics used in this type of work. My main research question is: What could be improved in the current STF process to help educators better measure the impacts of their action projects? This also ties into some supporting questions, including: In the past, how have educators been supported in thinking about larger impacts? How can we provide more support to educators? What tools/measures could be helpful for the future? What types of impacts might we measure based on past projects? This research is important for schools and communities because it aims to ensure that sustainability programs implemented within K-12 institutions have the desired impact on the community. In order to have effective outcomes, it is important to regularly reflect on what is working within a project and how it can be improved. This research also seeks to make it easier for educators to achieve a desired outcome with more detailed instructions and examples of what can make up a “successful†project.
