Shaping change locally: a place-based STEM project’s influence on rural elementary and middle grade students

Alison K. Mercier, Alexander J. Sivitskis, J. Keith Torbert, Kelly Vallier · 2025 · Frontiers in Education

Summary. A rural elementary school's place-based STEM project on wildlife-vehicle collisions shifted students' identities toward seeing themselves as problem-solvers, advocates, and community members. Students developed stronger environmental responsibility and STEM competence through authentic scientific inquiry and public advocacy. The project fostered real-world problem-solving and agency, demonstrating that locally relevant STEM education empowers rural students to engage as capable learners and active community participants.

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Mercier, A. K., Sivitskis, A. J., Torbert, J. K., & Vallier, K.. (2025). Shaping change locally: a place-based STEM project’s influence on rural elementary and middle grade students. Frontiers in Education. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1584805

@article{mercier-2025-shaping-change-locally-place-based,
  title   = {Shaping change locally: a place-based STEM project’s influence on rural elementary and middle grade students},
  author  = {Alison K. Mercier and Alexander J. Sivitskis and J. Keith Torbert and Kelly Vallier},
  journal = {Frontiers in Education},
  year    = {2025},
  doi     = {10.3389/feduc.2025.1584805},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1584805}
}

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AU  - Alison K. Mercier
AU  - Alexander J. Sivitskis
AU  - J. Keith Torbert
AU  - Kelly Vallier
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Details

DOI: 10.3389/feduc.2025.1584805
Countries: United States
Regions: North America
Categories: education, regional-innovation-systems
Added: 2026-04-28