EDC to continue leadership of ITEST Resource Center in “STELAR”
Description
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has selected EDC to continue its role as the resource center for the ITEST (Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers) program.
In its nine-year tenure (2003–2012) leading the previous ITEST resource center, EDC provided highly regarded technical support to 195 ITEST projects nationwide, shared key ITEST findings through online and print products and events, and established a vibrant ITEST Community of Practice. From 2013 to 2016, EDC will continue the successful work carried out by the previous resource center and, in collaboration with EdLab Group—an educational equity nonprofit—will draw upon social media to enhance STELAR’s technical support, dissemination, and outreach.
Principal Investigator Sarita Pillai, with co-PIs Caroline Parker of EDC and Karen A. Peterson of EdLab Group, will head up STELAR. Pillai says, “We are honored that the NSF has once again chosen us to advance the goals of the ITEST program and support ITEST projects’ important work.” She notes that STELAR will have a new focus on connecting with audiences that are not currently aware of ITEST. “With EdLab Group,” she says, “We plan to deepen the impact and reach of the ITEST program by broadening participation to areas and institutions not currently represented in the ITEST portfolio.”