| Summary |
The purpose of this study was to examine the development of a partnership between a science rich corporate environment and a rural middle school. Additionally, this study reviewed the interactions between the pharmaceutical industry scientists and the middle school science teachers. The interaction between the pharmaceutical corporation and a low-performing middle school presented an opportunity to observe, document, and reflect on the impact of a politically challenged partnership. This project utilized qualitative data collection sources, including surveys, interviews, meeting notes, and informal conversations, which were designed to investigate interactions between the pharmaceutical corporation scientists and the science teachers at a rural middle school. The study was initiated after the pharmaceutical corporation formed an Employee Advisory Committee (EAC) with the middle school in February, 1998. The student surveys were specifically analyzed to determine general knowledge of activities at the pharmaceutical corporation and possible partnership science-related activities or interactions. The transcribed interview data sets were analyzed for emergent patterns among the pharmaceutical industry scientists and the middle school science teachers. Based on the evaluation methods used in this study, the pharmaceutical corporation middle school partnership is clearly struggling to meet the science-related objectives. The activities that have occurred do not represent a collaborative partnership, but the struggles to establish and address issues support what may be the beginning stages of a collaborative partnership. The science-related partnership objectives were not met due to infrequent communication, lack of commitment and responsibility to science-related objectives, and the science-related objectives were not consistent with original partnership goals. |
