Module 1: Introduction (2. STELAR, NSF & ITEST) | STELAR

Module 1 - Introduction

STELAR: The STEM Learning and Research Center

The STEM Learning and Research (STELAR) Center is the resource center for the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program. STELAR supported the ITEST program from 2013-2025, both in assisting grantees as well as in supporting those who are considering submitting an ITEST proposal.

Image	The STELAR Center is led by Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), whose mission is to design, implement, and evaluate programs to improve education, health, and economic opportunity worldwide. Collaborating with public and private partners, EDC strives for a world where all people are empowered to live healthy, productive lives.
	EDC has supported the ITEST program since its inception as the ITEST Learning Resource Center (LRC) from 2003-2012 and then as the STELAR Center from 2013 to the present. Several current STELAR staff, including PI Sarita Pillai and Co-PI Joyce Malyn-Smith, also led the ITEST LRC, lending more than 15 years of experience to our current work.
The Rucks Group (TRG) serves as STELAR's external evaluator, offering insights into how to improve our work and reach our goals. TRG specializes in evaluating programs, materials, and services with a focus on education and workforce initiatives. They employ a developmental evaluative approach to support continuous improvement.

Activity 1.01

The following 2-minute video provides more information about the mission and activities of STELAR, and how we support those interested in applying for ITEST funding.

NSF

Introduction to NSF and its Programs

The National Science Foundation is divided into ten research areas, each named as its own directorate:

Within each of these directorates there are multiple divisions, each with its own focus. The divisions support each of the individual funding programs. A complete list of NSF’s organization can be found here, but for our purposes this section will focus on the ITEST program’s placement within this structure.

Directorate for STEM Education EDU

Assistant Director: James L. Moore III

Acting Deputy Assistant Director: Lee Zia

^{Organizational Chart: https://www.nsf.gov/staff/organizational_chart.pdf}

The ITEST Program resides within the Directorate for STEM Education (EDU) and is part of the Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL) division.

The Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL) division “invests in the improvement of STEM learning for people of all ages by promoting innovative research, development, and evaluation of learning and teaching across all STEM disciplines in formal and informal learning settings.”

Choosing the Appropriate Program

While this course focuses on developing a strong proposal for the ITEST program (which you’ll learn about in depth in the next section), you may find that your idea does not fit well with ITEST’s core focus. NSF has many other programs, and after reviewing the ITEST solicitation later in this module, you may decide that one of the others may be more appropriate for you. Ask yourself, “What is my ‘intellectual center of gravity?’ ” and consider some of the related programs below.

EHR CORE RESEARCH (ECR)

“The EHR Core Research (ECR) program …invites proposals for fundamental research (curiosity-driven basic research and use-inspired basic research) that contributes to the general, explanatory knowledge that underlies STEM education in one or more of the three broadly conceived ResearchAreas: Research on STEM Learning and Learning Environments, Research on Broadening Participation in STEM fields, and Research on STEM Workforce Development.”

NSF ECR Program

DISCOVERY RESEARCH PREK-12 (DRK-12)

“The Discovery Research PreK-12 program (DRK-12) seeks to significantly enhance the learning and teaching of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science (STEM) by preK-12 students and teachers, through research and development of STEM education innovations and approaches. Projects in the DRK-12 program build on fundamental research in STEM education and prior research and development efforts that provide theoretical and empirical justification for proposed projects. Projects should result in research-informed and field-tested outcomes and products that inform teaching and learning. Teachers and students who participate in DRK-12 studies are expected to enhance their understanding and use of STEM content, practices and skills. The DRK-12 program invites proposals that address immediate challenges that are facing preK-12 STEM education as well as those that anticipate radically different structures and functions of preK-12 teaching and learning....”

NSF DRK-12 Program

ADVANCING INFORMAL STEM LEARNING (AISL)

The Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program is committed to funding research and practice, with continued focus on investigating a range of informal STEM learning (ISL) experiences and environments that make lifelong learning a reality. … Projects funded by AISL should … further illuminate informal STEM learning’s role in equity and belonging in STEM; personal and educational success in STEM; advancing public engagement in scientific discovery; fostering interest in STEM careers; creating and enhancing the theoretical and empirical foundations for effective informal STEM learning; improving community vibrancy; and/or enhancing science communication and the public’s engagement in and understanding of STEM and STEM processes.”

NSF AISL Program

SMART AND CONNECTED COMMUNITIES (S&CC)

“Communities in the United States (US) and around the world are entering a new era of transformation in which residents and their surrounding environments are increasingly connected through rapidly-changing intelligent technologies. This transformation offers great promise for improved wellbeing and prosperity but poses significant challenges at the complex intersection of technology and society. The goal of the NSF Smart and Connected Communities (S&CC) program solicitation is to accelerate the creation of the scientific and engineering foundations that will enable smart and connected communities to bring about new levels of economic opportunity and growth, safety and security, health and wellness, and overall quality of life.”

NSF S&CC Program

Racial Equity in STEM Education (EHR Racial Equity)

“Racial inequities often create barriers to STEM knowledge generation, as well as access to and participation in all aspects of STEM education, research, and the workforce. In ongoing efforts to address these disparities, NSF EHR seeks to support bold, groundbreaking, and potentially transformative projects that contribute to advancing racial equity in STEM education and workforce development through practice and/or fundamental or applied research…. Proposals funded by this solicitation will: (1) substantively contribute to institutionalizing effective research-based practices, policies, and outcomes in STEM environments for those who experience inequities caused by systemic racism and the broader community; (2) advance scholarship and promote racial equity in STEM in ways that expand the array of epistemologies, perspectives, ideas, theoretical and methodological approaches that NSF funds; and (3) further diversify project leadership (PIs and co-PIs) and institutions funded by NSF."

EHR Racial Equity Program

In choosing the appropriate program, you will want to consider the central focus of your proposal concept, the intended outcome(s)/product(s), the setting/learning environment(s), and populations served. When looking at each program, look both at the program description and at recently funded projects to get a sense of whether your idea would be a good fit.

The NSF program officers are also a great resource. They are always willing to talk over ideas with prospective PIs. Many of them prefer that you send them a one-page summary of your idea to guide the conversation. Once you have identified a program you think is a good fit, contact one of the listed program officers for more information.

Visit other NSF resource centers to get a better sense of the types of projects and areas of focus of each program.

ITEST

Introduction to the ITEST Program

The Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program was established in 2003 by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to address the looming shortage of technology workers in the United States.

It includes more than 700 current and past projects across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and helps students and teachers build the skills needed to succeed in a science and technology-driven world.

ITEST is an applied research and development program with goals to advance the equitable and inclusive integration of technology in the learning and teaching of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from pre-kindergarten through high school. The program’s objective is to support all students’ acquisition of the foundational preparation in STEM disciplines. Preparation for the current and future workforce is increasingly dependent upon the application and use of technology and computing."

NSF ITEST Solicitation 22-585

Check out the 2023 solicitation webinar (Video and Slides) to learn more about the aims of the program and the types of projects it supports.

Activity 1.02

After reading the program descriptions, write a brief statement in your notes on why you feel your project is best-suited to ITEST.