PlantingScience Digging Deeper {F2}

The PlantingScience Digging Deeper {F2} research study is funded by the National Science Foundation. The grant was awarded to the Botanical Society of America (BSA), BSCS Science Learning (BSCS), and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS).

The PlantingScience Digging Deeper {F2} study builds on a previous grant, Digging Deeper. Digging Deeper was a successful study that investigated the effects of quality curriculum, in depth professional learning, and mentoring by professional scientists to improve student outcomes in content achievement and attitudes about scientists. The Digging Deeper {F2} study is a study to ensure that the positive outcomes of Digging Deeper can be replicated. In addition, Digging Deeper {F2} adds a new component. This study will compare an in-person professional learning experience with an online format, which could be more sustainable. The design of the study is as a randomized control trial, the most rigorous type of design for educational research.

This research study, as was as the previous Digging Deeper study, is a collaboration among three organizations. The Botanical Society of America is the professional organization of botanists and plant scientists. BSCS Science Learning is a nonprofit organization that is a recognized leader in science education including instructional materials, professional learning, and science education research. Researchers at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs bring extensive experience in designing, conducting, and analyzing educational research studies.

• We are looking for US high school teachers who teach biology or life science. Other related classes, including environmental science, honors biology, or AP biology are also eligible. (If you have a question about eligibility, please do not hesitate to contact us with your questions.)
• Teachers who took part in the earlier Digging Deeper research project are not eligible.
• Teachers who have previously taught the PlantingScience Power of Sunlight module are not eligible.
• We are only able to select one teacher per school for this project. (This is due to the random selection process because having teachers in different treatment groups would create too much risk of overlap between groups.)

• The PlantingScience Power of Sunlight module is an online module focusing on photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Students begin the module with guided investigations and work toward a culminating activity in which they design and conduct an independent investigation based on their own research question. Throughout the module, students communicate with their scientist mentors for help and feedback.
• We anticipate that teachers will spend the equivalent of approximately two weeks with the Power of Sunlight module. However, this will not be “full-time.” For example, on some days students will spend an entire class period on investigations and discussions. On other days, students may spend approximately 15 minutes checking in with their mentors online followed by other activities of your choice. Days of instruction do not need to be consecutive.

If you are selected for the study, you will be assigned randomly to one of three groups. Random assignment is important for maintaining the “gold standard” of educational research study design. It will not be possible to change groups once assigned. The responsibilities are somewhat different for each group, as specified below.

• Treatment group 1: In-person professional learning. Teachers in this group will
  • Attend a 6-day in-person professional learning experience at BSCS Science Learning headquarters in Colorado Springs in the summer of 2023 (travel required; travel, hotel, and meal expenses covered through the grant).
  • Disseminate and collect assent and consent forms from students and parents for participation in the study.
  • Teach the Power of Sunlight module to their class during the fall 2023 semester.
  • Complete brief (approximately 5 minute) surveys to document their instruction each day while teaching the module.
  • Administer pretests and posttests to students.
  • Complete end-of-unit teacher surveys.
  • During the fall of 2024, teachers will again teach the Power of Sunlight module to their students to determine if implementation improves when teaching the unit for the second time.

• Treatment group 2: Online professional learning. Teachers in this group will
  • Participate in approximately 36 hours of online professional learning. This will take place over approximately 6 weeks during the summer of 2023. The professional learning will include facilitated large group sessions as well as non-facilitated small group sessions and individual time.
  • Disseminate and collect consent and assent forms from students and parents for participation in the study.
  • Teach the Power of Sunlight module to their class during the fall, 2023 semester.
  • Complete brief (approximately 5 minute) surveys to document their instruction each day while teaching the module.
  • Collect student assent and parent/guardian consent forms permitting students to participate in the research study.
  • Administer pretests and posttests to students.
  • Complete end-of-unit teacher surveys.
  • During the fall of 2024, teachers will again teach the Power of Sunlight module to their students to determine if implementation improves when teaching the unit for the second time.

• Control group: Business-as-usual. Teachers in this group will
  • Disseminate and collect consent and assent forms from students and parents for participation in the study.
  • Teach their usual curriculum materials on photosynthesis and cellular respiration to their class during the fall, 2023 semester. Teachers will be provided with a list of scientific concepts that they should address in their lessons.
  • Complete brief daily surveys (approximately 5 minutes) to document their instruction each day while teaching the module.
  • Collect student assent and parent/guardian consent forms permitting students to participate in the research study.
  • Administer pretests and posttests to students.
  • Complete end-of-unit teacher surveys.
  • During the summer of 2024, teachers will take part in online professional learning followed by teaching the Power of Sunlight module to their classes in the fall.

Summary of Timeline for the 3 Study Groups