The goal of this project is to investigate best ways to prepare the youth to confront future science and engineering problems. A team of educational researchers, science teachers, and scientists investigate the design of educational digital environments to promote engagement, interest, and learning in computation and science. Middle school aged learners are presented with science problems inspired by real-world challenges that are hard to solve and particularly suited to computational solutions with creative thinking skills.

This one page summary presents the work over the past year as we have transitioned from home-based instructional settings back to in-person and hybrid-settings in the context of engaging our partner youth in learnign about coding, transparent soil, and novel technologies.

ImageSTEAM is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded program designed to help introduce AI and computer vision concepts to middle school students through the development of innovative learning activities in visual media. Our focus is on encouraging students to pursue careers and interests in STEM and empowering teachers to train the next generation of students for the upcoming AI technologies that will feature prominently in the 21st century.

This project aims to advance science-based STEM+C education and teacher training models with the addition of location-based curriculum for teachers and students in computer science topics and STEM+C career exploration.

The AI Play project is investigating how to introduce AI concepts via digital game design activities to middle grades students and teachers through workshops, camps, and school-based programs in rural communities of North Carolina.

The project engages high school students in exploring science-based climate scenarios and co-creating an interactive digital narrative. Project research investigates outcomes related to the project goal to improve STEM career aspirations among Latinx teens.

We will collaborate with 3 annual teacher cohorts (80 teachers total) from Florida Title I middle schools to develop innovative STEM curriculum. This will be done via week-long summer PDs, scientist-teacher partnerships, periodic virtual sharing and planning meetings, and standards-based curricular instruction during the school year. Our project activities integrating fossil sharks and AI will reach at least ~2K to 4K students each year.