Event

STELAR hosted two webinars to provide information and answer questions about the 2013/2014 NSF ITEST Solicitation.

The first informational webinar took place on December 12, 2013.

Presenters: David Haury, National Science Foundation; Robert Russell, National Science Foundation; Sarita Pillai, STELAR; Jacob Martinez, TEC; Dina Kovarik, Bio-Test

A second webinar took place on January 21, 2014.  NSF program officers responded to questions from participants.

Presenters: David Haury, National Science Foundation, Robert Russell, National Science Foundation 

Synopsis of ITEST Program:

The ITEST program through research and model-building activities seeks to build understandings of best practice factors, contexts and processes contributing to K-12 students' motivation and participation in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) core domains along with other STEM cognate domains (e.g., information and communications technology (ICT), computing, computer sciences, data analytics, among others) that inform education programs and workforce domains. The ITEST program funds foundational and applied research projects addressing the development, implementation, and dissemination of innovative strategies, tools, and models for engaging students to be aware of STEM and cognate careers, and to pursue formal school-based and informal out-of-school educational experiences to prepare for such careers. ITEST supports projects that: (1) increase students' awareness of STEM and cognate careers; (2) motivate students to pursue the appropriate education pathways for STEM and cognate careers; and/or (3) provide students with technology-rich experiences that develop disciplinary-based knowledge and practices, and non-cognitive skills (e.g., critical thinking and communication skills) needed for entering STEM workforce sectors. ITEST supports two project types: Strategies and SPrEaD (Successful Project Expansion and Dissemination) projects. Strategies projects address the creation and implementation of innovative technology-related interventions that support ITEST's objectives. SPrEaD projects support the wider and broader dissemination and examination of innovative interventions to generate evidence and understanding regarding contextual factors that operate to enhance, moderate, or constrain the desired results.

Revisions to 2013/2014 Solicitation:

1. 1. Describes how the ITEST program complements the new EHR Core Research (ECR) Program.
2. 2. Replaces the Scale-up strand with a Successful Project Expansion and Dissemination (SPrEaD) strand to better address and understand the contextual and broadening participation factors that influence learning and learning environments.
3. 3. Establishes a stronger focus on research and development by assimilating components of the former Research strand into the Strategies and SPrEaD strands. The expectation is for all proposals to include a research component.
4. 4. Eliminates the request for proposals for a new Resource Center.
5. 5. Revises the description of what is required for evaluation of proposals.
6. 6. Eliminates the requirement for Letters of Intent.