The curricular materials below have been developed by ITEST projects and shared for dissemination to broader audiences through STELAR’s resource library. ITEST projects work with PreK-12 youth in a variety of STEM disciplines and settings. Additional information is included within each entry, including information about the project’s focus and audience, as well as PDFs and/or URLs to the original resource. These materials are made available for public use through the National Science Foundation’s public access policy, which encourages funded projects to share all materials generated over the course of the grant. Unless otherwise noted, these curricular materials are free to use with appropriate credit to the organization/authors.
CryptoClub.org
Curricular MaterialsCryptoClub.org is the official webpage of ITEST project The CryptoClub. It contains many activities for learning and enjoying cryptography: ciphers, challenges, games, and comics.
Center for 21st Century Skills at EDUCATION CONNECTION Learning Management System
Curricular MaterialsThe Center for 21st Century Skills at EDUCATION CONNECTION Learning Management System is the online learning space for the Connecticut Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences ITEST project. This space is designed to support the delivery of the courses and programs developed to Connecticut High Schools. The site is powered by an open-source course management system, Moodle. While a user name and password are required access the courses listed, news posted on the front page of the site and some of the course materials can be viewed by guests.
Cosmic Ray Observation Project (CROP) Curriculum
Curricular MaterialsThe Cosmic Ray Observation Project (CROP) Curriculum, created as part of ITEST project Action at a Distance, provides information and resources to its school and staff participants to meet two goals: first, to study the patterns of arriving cosmic particles, and second, to interest high school students in careers in science (especially Physics). Through the use of detection equipment, CROP allows high schools to produce research quality data in a program that prepares their students for college level science and research. Provided on the CROP website are resources divided by school and staff
C-STEM Curricula
Curricular MaterialsThrough their focus on integrating computing and robotics into regular STEM classroom with hands-on project-based learning, the C-STEM Center, part of ITEST project Co-Robots for STEM Education in the 21st Century, has developed innovative teaching strategies, textbooks, and courseware.
GEAR-Tech-21 Curriculum
Curricular MaterialsGEAR-Tech-21, based on ITEST project National Robotics in 4-H: Workforce Skills for the 21st Century, teaches robotics, GPS, and GIS technologies to middle school youth through building and programming a robot, navigation, and mapmaking activities. The linked website provides step-by-step guides and resources and access to an innovative curriculum and educator’s guide for 300 instruction hours set over a two-year period. Additionally, those who sign up can gain access to GEAR-Tech-21 equipment rental.
NetSci High Resources
Curricular MaterialsNetSci High, also known as ITEST project Network Science for the Next Generation, shares its resources used as part of the project on its webpage. Resources include a "Rookie's Guide to Network Science," a number of interactive online visualizations, articles and publications, and NetLogo and Network Interactives downloads.
From Learning to Research (L2R) Teacher Developed Products
Curricular MaterialsAs part of ITEST project From Learning to Research (L2R), teachers from both cohorts one and two met to discuss needed resources for the classroom to aid with the development of locally-relevant climate research projects.
Middle Schoolers Out to Save the World (MSOSW) Curriculum
Curricular MaterialsThe Middle Schoolers Out to Save the World (MSOSW) curriculum uses data gathered by students to develop optimum scenarios for conserving energy and reducing the global production of greenhouse gases.
DIVE In!
Curricular MaterialsThe inspiration for d.loft STEM (also known as ITEST project Design Loft STEM Learning Program) is the "Design for the Other 90% Movement,” which consists of engineers, designers, scientists, technologists, architects, and mathematicians engaged in designing low-cost innovative solutions for large portion of the world’s population who do not have access to basic services and products. Design Thinking is an approach to learning that builds students' creative confidence. DIVE In! is a middle school curriculum that integrates STEM learning activities and the design thinking process. Inspired by
Waksman Student Scholars Program Resources
Curricular MaterialsThe Waksman Student Scholars Program (WSSP), also known as ITEST project Conducting Authentic Molecular Biology and Genomics Research in High Schools, provides opportunities for high school students and their teachers to conduct an authentic research project in molecular biology and bioinformatics and publish their findings. Resources used and developed as part of this project can be found by clicking on the link. On the WSSP site, one can find teacher and student notes, games, powerpoint files, problem sets and answer keys, videos, a DNA sequency translator, DNA apps, equipment and supply