March 2023
Crossing Borders to Engage Students in Unique Learning Experiences
The University of Toledo’s global reach provides opportunities for budding scientists around the world to become the problem solvers of tomorrow and student leaders who have a positive impact on their communities today.
Thousands of student scientists around the world are collecting scientific data to measure urban heat islands and other effects of climate change as part of the GLOBE Mission EARTH project led by Kevin Czajkowski, Ph.D., Distinguished University Professor of Geography and Planning. Since it began in 2015, the program has expanded to 42 countries with more than $24 million in funding from NASA.
College students will provide quality child development and care at American military bases overseas through the new Rocket Kids program led by Sammy Spann, Ph.D., UToledo vice president for student affairs and dean of students. Supported by an $11.5 million grant from the Department of Defense, college students earn 15 credit hours while helping children of active-duty service members in U.S. Army bases in Germany, Italy or Belgium.
New data confirms an early childhood STEM education program created by Charlene Czerniak, Ph.D., professor emeritus of science education and a research professor in the UToledo College of Engineering, is successfully improving math and science scores for thousands of students in pre-K through third grade across the country. Having a NURTURES program teacher added on average 26 points to a student’s mathematics test score and 14 points to a student’s science score compared to original assessments.
Sophisticated science instruments on the UToledo campus are operated remotely by thousands of students across the globe through the SCOPE program led by chemist Kristin Kirschbaum, Ph.D., director of the UToledo Instrumentation Center. During the past decade the program has worked with classrooms from 17 states in the U.S. as well as teachers and students in China, the Czech Republic and Germany.
A long-standing exchange program between UToledo and the University of Salford in northwest England provides educational and cultural experiences for biological sciences students. More than 550 students at each institution have spent a year on the other campus since the program began in 1984.
Learn More
- NPR: Can a Middle School Class Help Scientists Create a Cooler Place to Play?
- The Blade: University of Toledo Students to Provide Child Care at U.S. Military Bases
- 13 ABC: UToledo Receives $11.5 Million to Operate Rocket Kids Program
- NBC 24: NASA extends University of Toledo project that brings hands-on research to schools