Progress 07/15/06 to 07/14/08
Outputs
During 2006-2008, the Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP) was conducted from 06/11/2007 to 07/26/2007 and 06/16/2008 to 08/01/2008. San Antonio PREP developed a new Systems and Water Science course piloted during the summer of 2007 in collaboration with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) state and San Antonio staff, UTSA's College of Education, PREP staff, San Antonio Water System (SAWS) staff and an external consultant. In 2008, The Systems and Water Science course piloted in 2007, was divided into two classes, a Water Science class and a Problem Solving class that addressed systems thinking and dynamic modeling. Sixty-three (63) students completed the Systems and Water Science pilot course in 2007 and twenty-six (26) students in a permanent PREP IV course in 2008, 22 were members of minority groups (85%). a total of eighty-nine (89) students, approximately . Teachers from TexPREP and San Antonio PREP were provided professional development the first week of June 2008 in the areas of systems thinking, system dynamics, and watershed management. Students attended a field trip sponsored by the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) called, From Rain to Drain, in 2007. Approximately 89 students participated in one of the three (3) field trips that were developed and facilitated during the course of the program, which included: SAWS water recycling facility, Edwards Aquifer drinking water source pumping station and ground seepage points, Salado Creek detention Basin and USDS Measurement station. In 2007, a PREP Expo was held allowing students to display materials associated with their Systems and Water Science class for their parents. On July 25, the students presented the results of their summer work to NRCS, SAWS, San Antonio River Authority, UTSA, St. Mary's PREP Staff, and to their parents. During 2008, a PREP Expo was held and students displayed materials associated with their Systems and Water Science class for their parents. On July 30, the students presented the results of their summer work to NISD, NRCS, SAWS, San Antonio River Authority, UTSA, PREP Staff, and to their parents at UTSA 1604 campus. The accomplishments of PREP are as follows: 899 (76 %) of PREP students increased their knowledge of water sciences and of professional opportunities in the water sciences due to the new water science curriculum; 486 (96 %) of year 1 PREP students reinforced their math and science skills; 1042 (79 %) of PREP students were underrepresented students; 23 (88 %) of year 4 PREP students improved their problem solving skills due to the new innovative learner-centered approach and educational delivery system. An annual report will be distributed during the months of January that will report the accomplishments of the program. Additional copies will be available for distribution during program presentations and recruitment events. PRODUCTS: In 2006-2007, San Antonio PREP developed a new Systems and Water Science course to be piloted during the summer of 2007 in collaboration with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) state and San Antonio staff, UTSA's College of Education, PREP staff, San Antonio Water System (SAWS) staff, and an external consultant. The following products were developed in support of this new Systems and Water Science course: course design document, daily lesson plans, Pre and Post test, Mid-summer examination, Certificates for sixty-three students who completed the Systems and Water Science pilot course, an article is being developed for publication, Professional development for two teachers and three program assistant mentors on systems thinking, system dynamics and watershed management, Charrettes prepared by the students documenting their learning, and a Salado Creek Watershed STELLA Model (modified model from Cornell University). In 2007-2008, San Antonio PREP formalized a new Systems and Water Science course to be used during the summer of 2008 to be used as part of a new summer program called PREP IV for high school students The Systems and Water Science course piloted in 2007, was divided into two classes, a Water Science class and a Problem Solving class that addressed systems thinking and dynamic modeling. The curriculum was designed and developed in collaboration with UTSA; College of Engineering, Science and Education, San Antonio, San Antonio Water System and the Edwards Aquifer Authority. The following products were developed in support of this new Systems and Water Science course: course design document, daily lesson plans, Pre and Post test, Mid-summer examination, and Certificates for twenty-six (26) students, of which 86% were members of underrepresented minority groups, in a permanent PREP IV course in 2008. Furthermore, the Texas Education Agency approved PREP IV's Water Science and Systems curriculum allowing PREP IV students to receive one (1) elective credit for attending the program. Annual Professional development was provided for two teachers, one site director, and three program assistant mentors on systems thinking, system dynamics and watershed management, a final community presentation was prepared by the students documenting their learning, and a Salado Creek Watershed STELLA Model (modified model from Cornell University) was developed and used during the PREP IV program session. OUTCOMES: The Systems and Water Science pilot course was offered to three PREP III groups (total of sixty-three students) at St. Mary's University. Teachers from Houston PREP and San Antonio PREP were provided professional development the first week of June 2007 in the areas of systems thinking, system dynamics, and watershed management. Students attended a field trip sponsored by SAWS called, From Rain to Drain, in place of a trip to the Lower Colorado River Authority. A PREP Expo was held at Our Lady of the Lake University on 07/16/2007, where students displayed materials associated with their Systems and Water Science class for their parents. On 07/25/2007, the students presented the results of their summer work to NRCS, SAWS, San Antonio River Authority, UTSA, St. Mary's PREP Staff, and to their parents. Results of the pre- and post-test for the pilot Systems and Water Science course given to sixty-three students resulted in a twenty-two point increase over their initial average with four points less deviation. In 2008, the Systems and Water Science course was implemented as a new fourth year component of PREP's traditional three year program. Currently known as PREP IV, students (total of twenty-six students) attended classes at UTSA's 1604 campus concentrating on water science and systems. Coursework focused on hydrology or the flow of water. Students also learned modern computer-related disciplines, Dynamic Systems Thinking (DST) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in classroom activities to strengthen their water science understanding. Teachers from Dallas and Alpine TexPREP and San Antonio PREP were provided professional development the first week of June 2008 in the areas of systems thinking, system dynamics, and watershed management. Students attended three (3) field trips during the course of the program which include: SAWS water recycling facility, Edwards Aquifer drinking water source pumping station and ground seepage points, Salado Creek detention Basin and USDS Measurement station. Along with the field trips, lectures, class discussions, and Internet activities reinforced this learning segment. Results of the pre- and post-test for the PREP Systems and Water Science course given to twenty-six (26) students, 85% were members of minority groups, resulted in a fifteen point increase over their initial average with eight points less deviation in 2008. As a bonus, St. Mary's University awarded all twenty-six PREP IV students a $1,000 scholarship per year, up to four years, or five years if majoring in Engineering, to attend St. Mary's University. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Dr. Reyna, Mrs. Petri and Mr. Jurewicz presented a breakout session workshop on lessons learned, products, outcomes and impacts associated with the Systems and Water Science course for the Creative Learning Exchange Systems Thinking and Dynamic Modeling Biennial Conference in Boston, MA in 06/2008 where approximately 100 participants attendend. All of the items in the Publications section above were disseminated to the TexPREP partner sites, approximately 30 sites, throughout the state at the directors' meetings. In 07/2007, students from the Systems and Water Science course presented the results of their work to community and industry leaders that included Board Members from the San Antonio Water System, senior staff members from NRCS, San Antonio River Authority, parents and university faculty. The students created Charrettes documenting their experience summer and they were distributed to all the students and those that attended the end of summer presentation. In the fall of 2007, students presented to the Board of the San Antonio Water System. The items in the Publications section will also be displayed on our USDA website www.prep-usa.org/portal/usda for use by other TexPREP sites and other school districts. PREP Water Science Presentation by Dr. Elizabeth Pate at the International Consortium for Research in Mathematics and Science in 5/2008. Dr. Reyna, Ben Jurewicz and Carol Petri presented Water science and Systems at the 2008 Systems Thinking and Dynamic Modeling Conference. Results and information about the PREP Program are displayed on our Website www.prep-usa.org/portal/usda. The website also contains contact information for the key staff and general information about the program. During the 2007 session, PREP held a water science expo at St. Mary's university that displayed the water science student projects to the community. In addition a second Expo was also held at UTSA 7/30/2008, allowing students to present the results of work done with systems, modeling, GIS and watershed management to NRCS, Edwards Aquifer Authority, SAWS, San Antonio River Authority, UTSA Faculty, St. Mary's PREP Staff, and to their parents. During 2008, A PREP Expo was held on 7/21/2008, where students displayed materials associated with their Systems and Water Science class for their parents. On 7/30/2008 the students presented the results of their summer work to NISD, NRCS, SAWS, San Antonio River Authority, UTSA, PREP Staff, and to their parents at UTSA 1604 campus. These events, that displayed the student projects associated with their Systems and Water Science courses, were widely publicized throughout San Antonio through email and traditional correspondence. Attendance included industry leaders and staff from the San Antonio Water System, San Antonio River Authority, Edwards Aquifer Authority, UTSA Center for Water Research, St. Mary's University, and representatives from surrounding school districts. The events were a big success in raising awareness of water science and attracted approximately 100 community members at each event. FUTURE INITIATIVES: A new PREP IV summer option will be implemented on a yearly basis for students that have completed PREP I, II, and III and the Systems and Water Science course will become one of the core classes for PREP IV. Thus, about 100 students who attend PREP IV will be exposed to water science on a yearly basis starting with the summer of 2008 and moving forward. Students who previously had not been exposed to water issues will now learn about watershed management topics and will be made aware of career opportunities within USDA and other water agencies. The implementation of the water science course will also result in greater interaction with NRCS and other water agencies as students work on real world issues and projects. As a result we will be turning out better educated future citizens who will be much better informed on water issues. PREP will continue to establish new collaborations with other Texas colleges and universities in implementing our water-science and systems thinking curriculum. Beginning in 2008, Sul Ross State University, Victoria College, and El Centro College will implement new. San Antonio and El Centro College in Dallas, TX added the Water Science and Systems courses. A recent USDA three year award to Sul Ross State University will allow for the operation of PREP sites in the above universities until 2011, allowing for new sites to implement the program. This will also provide time for the new sites to locate additional sponsors and create a stable funding base to ensure the continuation of PREP and the innovative water science and systems thinking curriculum. Existing TexPREP sites beyond the sites referenced above will be exposed to the Systems and Water Science curriculum with the intent of replicating the courses throughout the state. As new TexPREP sites are implemented, they will be made aware of the Systems and Water Science courses so that they can consider utilizing the course for their students.
Impacts
In 2007 the impacts achieved included: 91 % of PREP students increased their knowledge of water sciences and of professional opportunities in the water sciences due to the new water science curriculum; 93 % of PREP students reinforced their math and science skills; 79 % of PREP students were underrepresented students; 85 % of PREP students improved their problem solving skills due to the new innovative learner-centered approach and educational delivery system; and 30 % will replicate the water sciences curriculum at other HSIs where PREP operates. While in 2008, the impacts achieved included: 899 (76 %) PREP students increased their knowledge of water sciences and of professional opportunities in the water sciences due to the new water science curriculum; 487 (96 %) of year one PREP students reinforced their math and science skills; 1042 (79 %) of PREP students were underrepresented students; 23 (88 %) year 4 PREP students improved their problem solving skills due to the new innovative learner-centered approach and educational delivery system; and the water science curriculum was replicated at El Centro College in Dallas, Texas. Unintended impacts include new collaborations with other Texas colleges who implemented PREP IV and the new water science course. This new course and PREP IV will multiply the number of students statewide that will become aware of water issues and careers in water science. Additionally, a summer teacher is looking into expanding the course into a full nine month course for use at the high school level as a fourth year of science.
Publications
- Water Science Training Session Agenda, 2008
- Problem Solving (Systems Thinking/Dynamic Modeling) Daily Lesson Plan, 2008
- Problem Solving (Systems Thinking/Dynamic Modeling) Class Summary, 2008
- Problem Solving (Systems Thinking/Dynamic Modeling) Curriculum Overview, 2008
- Google Earth Based Geographic information System (GIS) Tool, 2008
- Water Flow Test Kit, Developed and utilized by students to better understand water flow, 2008
- PREP water science course design document, 2007
- PREP water science course daily lesson plans, 2007
- PREP water science Pre and Post test, 2007
- PREP water science mid-summer examination, 2007
- Water Science Curriculum Overview, 2008
- Water Science Daily Lesson Plans, 2008
- Water Science Class Summary, 2008
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Progress 07/15/06 to 07/14/07
Outputs
During 2006-2007, the Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP) was conducted from June 11 to July 26, 2007. The Systems and Water Science pilot course was offered to three PREP III groups (total of sixty-three students) at St. Mary's University. Teachers from Houston PREP and San Antonio PREP were provided professional development the first week of June 2007 in the areas of systems thinking, system dynamics, and watershed management. Students attended a field trip sponsored by SAWS called, From Rain to Drain, in place of a trip to the Lower Colorado River Authority. A PREP Expo was held at Our Lady of the Lake University on July 16, 2007, where students displayed materials associated with their Systems and Water Science class for their parents. On July 25, the students presented the results of their summer work to NRCS, SAWS, San Antonio River Authority, UTSA, St. Mary's PREP Staff, and to their parents. The accomplishments of PREP are as follows: 91 percent of PREP
students increased their knowledge of water sciences and of professional opportunities in the water sciences due to the new water science curriculum; 93 percent of PREP students reinforced their math and science skills; 79 percent of PREP students were underrepresented students; 85 percent of PREP students improved their problem solving skills due to the new innovative learner-centered approach and educational delivery system The following information associated with the Systems and Water Science course will be available to others for distribution: Course design document, Course daily lesson plans, Pre and Post test, Mid-summer examination, Article that documents the 2007 course experience, Charrettes prepared by the students documenting their learning associated with the systems and water science course, Salado Creek Watershed STELLA Model, and the TexPREP and San Antonio PREP Annual Reports. In the months of August, PREP conducts an annual survey of past participants. The
information collected consists of race, gender, highest level of education, concentrations of study, and colleges attended. The above information will be reported along with the results of the program in an annual report that will be distributed to all of our partners and supporters. The annual report will be distributed during the months of January once all of the information is completed. Additional copies will be available for distribution during program presentations and recruitment events.
PRODUCTS: In 2006-2007, San Antonio PREP developed a new Systems and Water Science course to be piloted during the summer of 2007 in collaboration with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) state and San Antonio staff, UTSA's College of Education, PREP staff, San Antonio Water System (SAWS) staff and an external consultant. The following products were developed in support of this new Systems and Water Science course: course design document, daily lesson plans, Pre and Post test, Mid-summer examination, Certificates for sixty-three students who completed the Systems and Water Science pilot course, an article is being developed for publication, Professional development for two teachers and three program assistant mentors on systems thinking, system dynamics and watershed management, Charrettes prepared by the students documenting their learning, and a Salado Creek Watershed STELLA Model (modified model from Cornell University).
OUTCOMES: The Systems and Water Science pilot course was offered to three PREP III groups (total of sixty-three students) at St. Mary's University. Teachers from Houston PREP and San Antonio PREP were provided professional development the first week of June 2007 in the areas of systems thinking, system dynamics, and watershed management. Students attended a field trip sponsored by SAWS called, From Rain to Drain, in place of a trip to the Lower Colorado River Authority. A PREP Expo was held at Our Lady of the Lake University on July 16, 2007, where students displayed materials associated with their Systems and Water Science class for their parents. On July 25, the students presented the results of their summer work to NRCS, SAWS, San Antonio River Authority, UTSA, St. Mary's PREP Staff, and to their parents. Results of the pre- and post-test for the pilot Systems and Water Science course given to sixty-three students resulted in a twenty-two point increase over their initial average
with four points less deviation.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Dr. Pate, Dr. Reyna and Mr. Jurewicz will publish an article on lessons learned, products, outcomes and impacts associated with the Systems and Water Science course for the Creative Learning Exchange publication and for other education publications. They will also present the same topic at the Systems Thinking and Dynamic Modeling Biennial Conference in June of 2008. All of the items in the Publications section above will be disseminated to the TexPREP partner sites throughout the state at the directors' meeting in November 2007. In July of 2007, students from the Systems and Water Science course presented the results of their work to community and industry leaders that included Board Members from the San Antonio Water System, senior staff members from NRCS, San Antonio River Authority, parents and university faculty. The students created Charrettes documenting their experience Summer and they were distributed to all the students and those that attended the
end of summer presentation. In the Fall of 2007, students will present to the Board of the San Antonio River Authority. The items in the Publications section will also be displayed on our USDA website www.prep-usa.org/portal/usda for use by other TexPREP sites and other school districts. We are also considering the possibility of presenting the outcomes, impacts, etc. associated with the Systems and Water Science course at an international conference in 2008 in South America. Results and information about the PREP Program are displayed on our Website www.prep-usa.org/portal/usda. The website also contains contact information for the key staff and general information about the program. During the 2007 session, PREP held a water science expo at St. Mary's university that displayed the water science student projects to the community. The Expo was widely publicized throughout San Antonio through email and traditional correspondence. Attendance included industry leaders and staff from the
San Antonio Water System, San Antonio River Authority, Edwards Aquifer Authority, UTSA Center for Water Research, St. Mary's University, and representatives from surrounding school districts. The event was a big success in raising awareness of water science and attracted approximately 100 people.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: A new PREP IV summer option will be implemented on a yearly basis for students that have completed PREP I, II, and III and the Systems and Water Science course will become one of the core classes for PREP IV. Thus, about 100 students who attend PREP IV will be exposed to water science on a yearly basis starting with the summer of 2008 and moving forward. Students who previously had not been exposed to water issues will now learn about watershed management topics and will be made aware of career opportunities within USDA and other water agencies. The implementation of the water science course will also result in greater interaction with NRCS and other water agencies as students work on real world issues and projects. As a result we will be turning out better educated future citizens who will be much better informed on water issues. PREP will continue to establish new collaborations with other Texas colleges and universities in implementing our water-science and
systems thinking curriculum. Beginning in 2008, Sul Ross University, Victoria College, and Dallas County Community College District will implement new PREP sites with a concentration on water science and systems thinking. A recent USDA three year award to Sul Ross University will allow for the operation of PREP sites in the above universities until 2011, allowing for new sites to implement the program. This will also provide time for the new sites to locate additional sponsors and create a stable funding base to ensure the continuation of PREP and the innovative water science and systems thinking curriculum. Existing TexPREP sites beyond the sites referenced above will be exposed to the Systems and Water Science curriculum with the intent of replicating the course throughout the state. As new TexPREP sites are implemented, they will be made aware of the Systems and Water Science course so that they can consider utilizing the course for their students.
Impacts
Unintended impacts include new collaborations with other Texas colleges and universities who chose to implement PREP IV at their institutions and include the new water science course. That will multiply the number of students statewide that will become aware of water issues and careers in water science. Additionally, one of the summer teachers is looking into expanding the course into a full nine month course for use at the high school level as a fourth year of science. Achieved impacts included: 91 percent of PREP students increased their knowledge of water sciences and of professional opportunities in the water sciences due to the new water science curriculum; 93 percent of PREP students reinforced their math and science skills; 79 percent of PREP students were underrepresented students; 85 percent of PREP students improved their problem solving skills due to the new innovative learner-centered approach and educational delivery system; and (PENDING until 2008) 30
percent will replicate the water sciences curriculum at other HSIs where PREP operates (PENDING until 2008).
Publications
- PREP water science course design document, 2007
- PREP water science course daily lesson plans, 2007
- PREP water science Pre and Post test, 2007
- PREP water science mid-summer examination, 2007
- TexPREP Annual Report, pending until January 2008 San Antonio Prefreshman Engineering Program Annual Report, pending until January 2008
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