Large-scale studies of 15-year-old school students show associations between students’ attitudes toward science learning and their levels of achievement (Ainley, Kos, & Nicholas, 2008). One model for improving students’ attitudes towards science and mathematics learning has been the provision of peer mentoring. The In2science program uses a peer mentoring approach to engage secondary school students in science and mathematics study. Working with the classroom teacher, university students serve as mentors and help students with their learning and build relationships in a small group or a whole class. Mentors talk to students about studying science (or another STEM area) at university and how science is used in everyday life and careers. In2science mentors act as role models to show school students what a future in science might look like. The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) was contracted to evaluate the In2science program during Semester 2, 2016. The evaluation used a mixed methods approach to focus on student outcomes as a result of the program.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/julie_kos/32/