Expository programs: A model to improve teaching and learning of chemistry

CHED 398

Samirah Mercado-Feliciano, samirahmercado@hotmail.com, Chemistry Department, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, PO Box 9019, Mayaguez, PR 00681 and Juan López-Garriga, lopezj@uprm.edu, Chemistry Deparment, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, PO Box 9019, Mayaguez, PR 00681.
The National Science Board Report of 2006 indicates that the number of university students in the STEM areas has decreased in the last three years. A possible contribution to solve the reduction of students in these areas is the development of strong links between the universities and K-12 educational science initiatives. This research focused on studying and defining the effect and influence of the Expository Programs in high school chemistry. The research's hypothesis is that this link between universities and K-12 schools helps to enhance the teaching and learning of chemistry. Questionnaires, surveys, and interviews were administered to obtain the data. To reinforce the obtained data, a chemistry test was administered with the objective of detecting chemistry misconceptions. Overall, data suggested that the Programs enhance the teaching of chemistry and stimulate high school students to: increase interest for Chemistry, develop academic skills, have less chemistry misconceptions, and increase university enrollment.