Impact Of School’s Income on Fifth Grade Science

Project Overview 

My research project examines how a school’s surrounding income level affects the access for fifth grade teachers to use hands-on learning in order to teach science and how this affects student proficiency. I am working to see if there is a correlation between all three of these factors: income of surronding area, teacher's access to hands on learning, and student proficiency. The method that teacher's use to teach science in school is different for every teacher thus I want to see if some forms are more effective, specifically looking at hands on learning. Hands on learning can be defined as teaching using more direct experiences and active partipiation; therefore, I'm exploring is there a positive outcome for teachers using this teaching formate. Additionally, I will be investigating if income plays a role in this and whether the teaching method then impacts how many students are reaching and exceeding science state curriculum. 

Gap:

There have been numerous studies that have proven hands on learning is a great tool for elemtnary age teacher's to use as a teaching style. There have also been numerous studies to prove that income plays a major role into what access teachers have to use within there classroom. Addionally, studies have proven that income directly impacts students success in the classroom. My gap is connecting these to explore the correlation between income, teacher's access to certain methods specifically hands on learning, and student proficiency.  

Goal:

I aim to show that the growing income gap in Colorado is becoming a more prevalent issue that disproportionately impacts certain schools and causes them to have left funding, which can cause inequalities in education opportunities. I also want to prove that hands on learning is a great device for fifth grade teachers to use thus there should be more funding towards these tools.