Angie James, a teacher at Glenville-Emmons High School, is participating in a research study with the University of Minnesota that’s aimed at improving student science achievement.

The university, along with the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council, is collaborating with the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education on the study. More studies have shown many high school students graduate without the proper scientific literacy to succeed in the future work place. The study’s investigators wanted to find out if students would learn science better if it was related to their particular career interests.

James’ animal science course at Glenville-Emmons High School was selected to be part of the control group. The study worked with 30 teachers who were selected to be in control or experimental groups.

James was instructed to teach her students as she normally would. The students were tested on their scientific knowledge at the beginning and end of the term. Test results from all 30 groups will be compared to see if learning science when related to a student’s career interests enhances science achievement. The results are expected later this fall. The project is led by Donna Peterson, National Research Center for Career and Technical Education, and Jim Leising, professor in agricultural education at the University of Minnesota.