Description
UWM ArtsECO is a social sciences research project that examines how programmatic supports affect student behavior (recruitment and retention) and teacher satisfaction (competence and confidence). Programming includes ArtsECO Pre-College, which brings Milwaukee area art-interested high school students onto the UWM campus for instruction in art and design, exposure to the rigor of college level art, and information on careers in the arts. UWM pre-service teachers includes the ArtsECO Interns and ArtsECO Fellows programs, as well as ArtsECO Teacher MeetUps. In-service teachers participate in ArtsECO Teacher MeetUps, ArtsECO Mentors, and the Art Teacher Certification Cohort (ATCC). Program effectiveness is measured through participant surveys, focus groups, and by tracking participation across programs over time. The goals for the program are to attract and retain teachers that are confident and competent to teach in and through arts and cultures.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Student researchers working with ArtsECO carry out programmatic and research functions. Students assist with the design and implementation of programs including communicating with program participants through the creation and distribution of marketing materials (print, online, and in person), registering participants for programs, then tracking attendance and experience. Research functions include the creation of surveys to measure program experience and impact, inputting of survey data to electronic tracking platforms (excel and database), and the roll up of survey data for reporting. Students will work with both quantitative and qualitative data sets and understand their dual importance in social sciences research. As an application of the student's learning in ArtsECO, the student may prepare an outreach initiative related to the OUR summer SURF program to build awareness of the program amongst incoming freshman in an effort to increase student applicants to the summer SURF program.