Under-Represented Populations Instruments

Teacher/Faculty Focus Groups

Instrument 1: Focus Group Questions

Project: Sisters in Science: Intergenerational Partnerships in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Education
Temple University

Funding Source: NSF: Program for Women and Girls (HRD)

Purpose: To evaluate teacher-targeted components of the Sisters in Science Program, the effects of the Sisters in Science program on teaching and on students, and to brainstorm future plans for reaching out to families and stimulate suggestions for improvements to the project

Administered To: Participating teachers

Topics Covered:

• Course Evaluation: areas for program improvement, exemplary areas
• Identity Issues: content, methods
• Impact on Outcomes: instructional methods, student attitudes, student interest, student understanding, teacher attitudes
• Project Development/Continuation: family participation

Format/Length: 18 open-ended questions; responses were recorded on video

Sisters in Science
Focus Group Questions

Small Group

Topic I: The Practicum

1. What are some of the strengths of the practicum component of Sisters In Science?

2. What are some of the weaknesses of the practicum component of Sisters In Science?

3. Who is able to teach science in addition to the 8:30-11:30 practicum time slot?
   Note: the number of teachers who respond yes or no to this question.

4. Has your teaching changed as a result of the practicum experience?
   Note: the number of teachers who respond yes or no to this question.

5. Were the teachers' lessons gender sensitive and hands-on in nature?
   Note: the number of teachers who respond yes or no to this question.

Topic II: Impact on Teaching

1. Has your teaching changed with respect to gender-sensitive/hands-on lesson development as a result of the Sisters In Science intervention?
   Note: the number of teachers who respond yes or no to this question.

2. How has your teaching changed with respect to gender-sensitive/hands-on lesson development as the result of the Sisters In Science intervention?

3. Are you now more comfortable with hands-on/minds-on instruction?
   Note: the number of teachers who respond yes or no to this question.

Topic III: Impact on Students

1. Have you noticed any changes in your students as a whole with respect to their interests, attitudes, and/or achievement in science?
   Note: the number of teachers who respond yes or no to this question.

2. What types of changes have you noticed?

3. Have you noticed any in your girls who are participating in the after school program with respect to their interests, attitudes, and/or achievement in science?
   Note: the number of teachers who respond yes or no to this question.

4. What types of changes have you noticed?

5. Have you noticed any changes in your boys with respect to their interests, attitudes, and/or achievement in science?
   Note: the number of teachers who respond yes or no to this question.

6. What types of changes have you noticed?

Whole Group

Topic IV: Family Involvement

1. Suggestions for reaching out to the families?

Topic V: Future Directions

1. Suggestions for planning collaboratively with the students next semester?

2. What changes would you make for next semester with respect to the practicum?

3. What changes would you make for next semester with respect to Sisters In Science?