Creating equitable connected learning experiences for teachers, students, and parents

In this paper, we summarize a project that uses an online social learning environment (SLE) to address the persistent achievement gap in science. Our goals are to design responsive teacher professional development, create opportunities that amplify parent voices and family involvement, and support student identity. In our work, teachers have an innovative method of instruction and a new tool for cultivating home-school partnerships centered on academics. Students have a method of engaging in scientific practices that are relevant to their experiences, and parents have a new avenue for contributing to their child's science learning. Our overall research goal is to create connected learning experiences for teachers, students, and families. We present descriptive findings that show how our work is helping teachers to integrate science and culture. We also present ways that students and parents are being invited to share their personal and cultural identities in science classes.