Scaling professional development: Integrity of implementation as a measurement approach.

Publications
Professional learning about an innovative teaching method is a demonstrated way to improve teacher practices, and ultimately impact student learning. One way to scale up professional learning is a facilitator development model, in which professional learning and development (PLD) designers prepare facilitators to understand the innovation and they in turn, teach teachers. To understand the effectiveness of this model, identifying how facilitators implement the model with teachers is critical. As such, the Power of Data (POD) team scaled-up effective PLD by providing Facilitation Academies to
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Teacher enactment of the Geospatial Inquiry cycle in classrooms Teacher enactment of the Geospatial Inquiry cycle in classrooms following scaled up professional learning and development following scaled up professional learning and development

Publications
The current study examined the effects of a nationally scaled up Professional Learning and Development (PLD) model on teachers’ classroom implementation of the Geospatial Inquiry instructional framework. Geospatial Inquiry is defined as: asking and answering a research question through the analysis and communication of data that is linked to a geographic location on, above, or near Earth. These data are often represented visually via maps and explored with geospatial technologies. It also examined the relationships between Geospatial Inquiry Teacher Workshop (GITW) implementation and teacher
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The impact of Geospatial Inquiry lessons on student interest in science and technology careers

Publications
Advances in online geospatial technologies (GST) have expanded access to K-12 classrooms which has implications for the support teachers require to effectively integrate GSTs to promote learning. Previous studies have shown the impact of GST-integrated lessons on student engagement, spatial thinking skills, and/or content knowledge; however, most of these studies have been small in scope and scale and frequently focus on the affordances of the technology, without addressing the context of the implementation and student characteristics for whom GST is most impactful. We attempt to address some
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Creating STEM Pathways at Detroit's Aquarium

Video

Welcome to Detroit and the Belle Isle Aquarium, where students come to see fish, turtles, and frogs and leave with learning and excitement about what they, too, could be doing in the world of science. This project starts with teacher professional development to enhance their knowledge of biology and

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Virtual Field Trip and Ecology Lesson at the Belle Isle Aquarium

Curricular Materials

“Promoting Student Interest in Science and Science Careers through a Scalable Place-based Environmental Educational Program at a Public Aquarium,” is an NSF project that will work with 90 Detroit Public School Community District (DPSCD) fifth grade teachers in biological STEM areas related to fisheries, wildlife, conservation and aquatic sciences. More than 2,300 fifth grade students from DPSCD are expected to participate in field trips to the Belle Isle Aquarium and follow-up activities.The COVID-19 epidemic has caused the Aquarium to be closed temporarily and our program of fifth grade field

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NSF Q&A Office Hours for 2021 ITEST Solicitation Applicants, Hosted by STELAR

Event

On August 3, STELAR will host NSF Program Officers Robert Russell, Gavin Fulmer, and Alicia Santiago for a procedural/budget/technical questions session designed for those planning to submit proposals on August 13, 2021. This will be an “office hours” style discussion and will be geared towards answering procedural, budget related, and technical questions around completing the required proposal sections and finalizing your submission.

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NSF Q&A Office Hours for 2021 ITEST Solicitation Applicants, Hosted by STELAR

Event

On July 21, STELAR will host NSF Program Officers Robert Russell, Gavin Fulmer, and Alicia Santiago. This session is the second session in a 3 part series, designed for those planning to submit proposals on August 13, 2021. This will be an “office hours” style discussion and will be geared towards answering general questions around completing the required proposal sections and finalizing your submission. Questions that are submitted in advance, and questions posed during the office hours will be addressed throughout the office hours session. 

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NSF Q&A Office Hours for 2021 ITEST Solicitation Applicants, Hosted by STELAR

Event

On July 14 and July 21, STELAR will host NSF Program Officers Robert Russell, Gavin Fulmer, and Alicia Santiago for two general questions sessions designed for those planning to submit proposals on August 13, 2021. This will be an “office hours” style discussion and will be geared towards answering general questions around completing the required proposal sections and finalizing your submission. Questions that are submitted in advance, and questions posed during the office hours will be addressed throughout the office hours session. 

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2021 ITEST Solicitation Webinar: Solicitation Overview

Video

On June 30, STELAR hosted National Science Foundation Program Officers for an informative webinar on the Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) Program’s Solicitation (NSF 19-583). During this webinar NSF Program Officers Bob Russell, Alicia Santiago, and Gavin Fulmer

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