The LEEDAR program: Learning Enhanced through Experimental Design and Analysis with Rutgers

Designing effective, enlightening experiments and following up with intelligent analysis of experimental results are critical components of productive research in the sciences. Unfortunately, most young scientists receive little introduction to the creative and analytical skills necessary for such endeavors prior to the start of graduate-level studies. While the science curricula of many secondary schools usually include well-researched and reliable classroom or laboratory experiments, these scripted exercises offer little insight into what it takes to be an independent researcher. The outreach program LEEDAR: Learning Enhanced through Experimental Design and Analysis with Rutgers was developed to expose high school students to the basic tenets of experimental design - a process through which they can independently form a hypothesis and then design, conduct, and present the results of their own unique classroom experiments. The central goal has been to forge connections between learning in the sciences at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate college levels, while creating an active-learning environment. In addition to encouraging young students to consider advanced study in the STEM disciplines, our program provides valuable service-learning experience to the graduate students who volunteer as mentors.