Sigma Xi Transformational Science Education

Sigma Xi has a long history of advocating for science education reform and is proud of our ongoing partnership with the National Science Teacher Association (representing educators in both Canada and the United States) to enhance the support for and the quality of P-16 classroom science education.

Increasing the "out of school time" exposure of students to inquiry-based learning, mastering mathematics, and critical thinking - through high quality, creative afterschool, weekend, and summer programming - are critical elements of a systemic strategy to reversing this deterioration. A significant number of Sigma Xi members already voluntarily offer their time and expertise to improving their local schools through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) initiatives.

The Engineer-in-Training for High School Students (EIT) program is a part of Sigma Xi's commitment to ensuring young people are exposed to "transformational science education."

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) sponsored by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reported in 2007 that North American high school and college completion rates continue to decline while overall science competency and knowledge among U. S. students was well below most Canadian, Western European and developed Asian countries students. Specifically, American students lagged behind in explaining phenomena scientifically, using scientific evidence, understanding living and physical systems. EIT is designed to address these deficits.

Engineer-in-Training for High School Students is just one of the creative partnership solutions that Sigma Xi Chapters and members, academic institutions, companies, and schools can support to expose and inspire each new generation to greater individual and collective achievement.

Past Sigma Xi Education Activities

• 1994 Forum - Scientists, Educators and National Standards: Action at the Local Level
• 1999 Forum - Reshaping Undergraduate Science and Engineering Education: Tools for Better Learning
• Education Programs - History

Pan-Organizational Summit on the U.S. Science & Engineering Workforce
November 11-12, 2002
Position of the Board of Directors of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society

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