Participation Type
Paper
Presentation #1 Title
The Perceptions of Science and Engineering in Older Adults in Appalachia
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
This study documents older adults’ perceptions of science and engineering in Appalachia through semi-structured interview case studies. Information acquired from the interviews will support science and engineering educational activities in Appalachian schools in North Georgia. Participants (n = 4) were asked a questions using a semi-structured protocol documenting their perceptions of science and engineering, along with expressing an item that highlights science and engineering in Appalachia which was subsequently photographed. Interviews were coded and transcribed. The term science was often defined as a subject that included chemistry, physics, and electronics or referred to as an object such as the Farmer’s Almanac. The term engineering is perceived as a job or occupation that makes a lot of money or a subject that you are proficient. The majority of the participants when asked about a specific activity they engage in often connected the activity with either science or engineering. Participants were able to share an object that connects science and engineering to specific leisure activities they engage in related to Appalachia. While most of the participants discussed how their activities connected to science and engineering, these individuals did not perceive themselves as scientists or engineers. The future goal of this study is to connect the lived-experiences and perceptions of science and engineering in Appalachia to relevant and meaningful science learning experiences for K-12 students.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Please update
The Perceptions of Science and Engineering in Older Adults in Appalachia
This study documents older adults’ perceptions of science and engineering in Appalachia through semi-structured interview case studies. Information acquired from the interviews will support science and engineering educational activities in Appalachian schools in North Georgia. Participants (n = 4) were asked a questions using a semi-structured protocol documenting their perceptions of science and engineering, along with expressing an item that highlights science and engineering in Appalachia which was subsequently photographed. Interviews were coded and transcribed. The term science was often defined as a subject that included chemistry, physics, and electronics or referred to as an object such as the Farmer’s Almanac. The term engineering is perceived as a job or occupation that makes a lot of money or a subject that you are proficient. The majority of the participants when asked about a specific activity they engage in often connected the activity with either science or engineering. Participants were able to share an object that connects science and engineering to specific leisure activities they engage in related to Appalachia. While most of the participants discussed how their activities connected to science and engineering, these individuals did not perceive themselves as scientists or engineers. The future goal of this study is to connect the lived-experiences and perceptions of science and engineering in Appalachia to relevant and meaningful science learning experiences for K-12 students.
