The Role Models in Elementary Engineering Education has been studying the interactions between elementary students and outreach ambassadors (undergraduate engineering students) in informal outreach setting.  The project used surveys, interviews and classroom video recordings to expand our understandings about how engineering outreach is enacted and how students' perceive that experience.  The findings to date have expanded knowledge about what matters to students and the role they see ambassadors filling.  The project has produced new survey instruments as well as tools that can support tra

This Synthesis project uses meta-analysis and qualitative synthesis to examine the effects of integrating innovative technologies into K-12 STEM education on students’ STEM career-related outcomes, and if and in what ways intervention characteristics and educational settings moderate these effects.

A project designed to identify strategies to recruit, train, and retain Latinas into post-graduate education, STEM majors, and STEM careers.

The New Hampshire Academy of Science ITEST grant began Sept. 1, 2022 and will enable wrap-around programming to provide underrepresented students in underserved rural communities with scientific research experiences along with mentorship and college prep throughout high school, starting at each grade level. We are currently developing recruitment strategies for our first two cohorts. 

Project Overview: The TRAILS 2.0 SEI will expand, scale, and innovate a tested model of integrative STEM instruction and teacher professional development to enhance rural students’ STEM learning while generating interest in STEM careers. To reach underserved and underrepresented rural populations, the TRAILS 2.0 team will work with up to 90 secondary STEM teachers to impact over 10,000 students and expand to schools in: Delmarva Peninsula (Delaware, Mary

We are co-designing and scaling up an informal maker program with educators and students in autism inclusion schools in New York City. 

This is the poster for the 2022 NSF ITEST Project Directors Meeting for Digital technology integration and engineering contexts to support elementary students' systems thinking

Engineering design tasks allow students to apply science concepts to solve problems and understand the practical value of scientific knowledge. Yet, it can be challenging for science teachers to find ways to support students to clearly draw connections between the scientific ideas behind engineering problems and the ways in which engineering solutions interact with scientific phenomena. It is also challenging for teachers to make connections between science and engineering in culturally responsive ways.

We are developing an innovative suite of mobile-ready learning resources for informal educators to support youth and the public’s understanding of wifi and radio frequency communications from digital apps to a craft kits, summer radio camps, videos and activity guides in English and Spanish. These learning and teaching resources were informed by user evaluations, co-design and values mapping towards inclusive design.