Developing and Testing Innovations (DTI) | STELAR - STEM Learning and Research Center

Connecting Indigenous Culture and Integrated STEM in Hawaii Through Smart AgTech

2024 - 2028

Aquaculture is an important part of Native Hawaiian heritage and culture. Fishponds were essential for community food production and held special cultural significance. Land use was managed through a traditional approach called the Ahupua’a system. Each ahupua’a was self-sufficient for the community it served and stretched from the reefs of the shoreline (makai) to the mountain ridges above (mauka). Native Hawaiians began revival of their cultural heritage over the last 50 years, including restoration of ancient fishponds and methods used to cultivate food.

A Semiconductor Curriculum and Learning Framework for High-Schoolers Using Artificial Intelligence, Game Modules, and Hands-on Experiences

2024 - 2028

Semiconductors are essential components of electronic devices, enabling advances in all important applications and systems such as communication, healthcare, and national security. In order to sustain the U.S.’s global competitiveness in the semiconductor industry, there is a growing demand for skilled semiconductor workforce. High schoolers are among the most frequent users of electronic devices. However, many do not know how these devices are designed and manufactured.

Using Flow-Based Music Programming to Engage Children in Computer Science

2023 - 2027

Achieving the goal of broadening participation in the computer science (CS) workforce will require that children have access to early opportunities to engage with CS. However, the reality is that most underrepresented children in elementary schools do not have access to CS at all. To remediate that lack of access, this project seeks to create a deeply engaging music-based CS education program and curriculum, M-Flow, that can be easily adopted by elementary schools.

Supporting Rightful Presence in Museum Spaces: Youth as Participatory Designers of Indigenous Mixed Reality Science Exhibits

2023 - 2026

This three-year project address the ongoing marginalization of Indigenous communities in informal science learning spaces by developing and studying a model that strengthens rightful presence: the idea that visitors will experience a sense of belonging and respect.

Embodied Interactive Environment for Advancing Data Sensing and Computational Thinking Skills in the Built Environment

2023 - 2027

As the construction industry gears toward adopting data sensing technologies, there is a demand for creating and sustaining a workforce with skills for implementing the technologies and analyzing the resulting data to support decision-making. It is also essential to improve awareness of this Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) career option among all K-12 students, develop their understanding of the applications of data sensing technologies and improve their computational thinking skills in manipulating and using data.

Developing Hands-on Virtual Reality Science Laboratory Experiences

2019 - 2024

This project addresses our nation's urgent need for an agile and diverse science and technology workforce by innovating cost-effective and scalable hands-on chemistry and biochemistry laboratory training using virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) educational technologies. Learning is optimized when theory and practice are seamlessly integrated and when multiple senses (sight, sound, and touch) reinforce each other to promote long-term knowledge retention.

SCC-IRG Track 1: Qoyangnuptu: Smart, Connected, and Culturally-centered System to Support the Well-being of Hopi/Tewa Youth

2022 - 2026

Across the nation, behavioral health concerns for youth are on the rise. In this context, American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) youth experience behavioral health disparities at some of the highest rates in the United States. Even as behavioral health services are becoming more available through mobile health and telehealth interventions, the lack of ubiquitous, high-speed Internet connectivity in rural tribal communities prevents many AIAN youths from accessing these critical services.

Employing Peer Mentoring to Empower Youth to Become 21st Century Energy Leaders

2022 - 2025

Bolstering STEM Pathways for Students in Rural New England Through a Comprehensive, Multi-Year Learning Community

2022 - 2026

Integrating AI Machine Learning into the Teaching of Paleontology Using Fossil Shark Teeth in Middle Schools

2022 - 2025

Sharks have ruled the Earth’s oceans for 400 million years, leaving behind a widespread fossil record. Inspired by the extinct 65-foot-long predator Megalodon, fossil shark teeth can spark student interest and curiosity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Machine Learning (ML), a branch of Artificial Intelligence (AI), is used in a variety of fields today and is broadly applicable for developing predictive models that drive research and development.

Subscribe to Developing and Testing Innovations (DTI)