What Makes for Powerful Classrooms, and How Can We Support Teachers in Creating Them? A Story of Research and Practice, Productively Intertwined

Publications

This article and my career as an educational researcher are grounded in two fundamental assumptions: (a) that research and practice can and should live in productive synergy, with each enhancing the other, and (b) that research focused on teaching and learning in a particular discipline can, if carefully framed, yield insights that have implications across a broad spectrum of disciplines. This article begins by describing in brief two bodies of work that exemplify these two fundamental assumptions. I then elaborate on a third example, the development of a new set of tools for understanding and

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NSF Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL)

Opportunities

The Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program seeks to advance new approaches to and evidence-based understanding of the design and development of STEM learning opportunities for the public in informal environments; provide multiple pathways for broadening access to and engagement in STEM learning experiences; advance innovative research on and assessment of STEM learning in informal environments; and engage the public of all ages in learning STEM in informal environments.

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Connected Science Learning: Call for Contributions for the 8th Issue

Opportunities

Theme for Eighth Issue (to be published in fall 2018):

STEM Learning Connected to Afterschool Settings

Contributions are due April 15, 2018

The America After 3PM special report, Full STEM Ahead: Afterschool Programs Step Up as Key Partners in STEM Education (produced by the Afterschool Alliance, October 2015) clearly states the important role that afterschool programs play in advancing STEM learning:

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Connected Science Learning: Call for Contributions

Opportunities

Theme for Seventh Issue (to be published in summer 2018): 
Making Experiences That Inspire STEM Learning

Contributions are due January 15, 2018

A 2014 news release from the National Science Foundation (NSF) made the following observations of the Maker Movement:

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How Baltimore Is Growing Its Tech Gurus From Scratch

News
Image

The Digital Harbor Foundation, recent recipient of ITEST funding, was featured last month in Politico Magazine's "What Works" series. Digital Harbor, a non-profit maker-space laboratory located in Baltimore, is teaching area youth to learn STEM by doing, and having fun: Researchers who’ve studied Digital Harbor kids recently found that teens who’ve gone through its introductory course show a 10-percent increase in “divergent thinking” – a measure

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NSF Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) Program Solicitation

Opportunities

The Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program seeks to advance new approaches to and evidence-based understanding of the design and development of STEM learning opportunities for the public in informal environments; provide multiple pathways for broadening access to and engagement in STEM learning experiences; advance innovative research on and assessment of STEM learning in informal environments; and engage the public of all ages in learning STEM in informal environments.

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NSF EHR Core Research (ECR) Solicitation

Opportunities

EHR Core Research (ECR) Reviewers Needed: If you are interested in reviewing ECR proposals please submit a brief CV to ECR@nsf.gov.

EHR Core Research (ECR) Fundamental Research in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education

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STELAR Webinar: Digital Badging in ITEST Projects

Video

On Tuesday, March 28, STELAR explored the use of digital badges in two ITEST projects. Like traditional merit badges, digital badges are earned by learning new skills, but unlike their embroidered counterparts, each digital badge contains an electronic record of the specific competencies that have

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Upcoming ITEST Symposia in 2017

News

Each year, STELAR collaborates with NSF ITEST project teams to submit session proposals to education and research conferences around the country. These sessions broaden awareness about the program and share the program's findings with others in the STEM education and research communities. We are thrilled to announce these two ITEST symposia sessions that have been accepted for presentation during Spring 2017. Look for us at these ITEST sessions

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