Conference proceeding | STELAR - STEM Learning and Research Center

Psychosocial Factors in Precollege Learning of Quantum Information Science and Technology

Publications

Recent federal initiatives have focused on workforce development in the rapidly advancing field of quantum information science and technology (QIST), which begins with precollege education to engage and inspire students. This paper will examine the integrated nature of QIST education (physics, computer science, engineering, mathematics) and its relationship with psychosocial domains including student interest, self-efficacy, normative comparison, recognition, belonging, and self-concept. The intervention that informed this work is a summer program for precollege students at a research

Outcomes From an International Year of Quantum K-12 Educational Leadership Conference

Publications

This report chronicles an education leadership conference to promote precollege quantum information science and technology (QIST) education in U.S. high schools during the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology in 2025. The goal of the conference was to inform K-12 school leaders about quantum ideas, the research landscape in the field, QIST curricular development, and the need for QIST education and workforce preparation strategies to meet the needs of emerging quantum industries. The conference was attended by N=154 school district leaders, educational partners, and Stony Brook

Review of Literature on Quantum Information Science and Technology Programs for High School Students

Publications

This review of literature critiques recent research (2019–2023) on quantum information science and technology (QIST) programs designed specifically for high school students. Since QIST research and applications are advancing rapidly with an accompanying global demand for QIST workforce development, it is important to understand how high school students may be introduced to QIST concepts and skills early in the academic pipeline. The review identifies best practices for QIST teaching and learning, how prerequisite mathematical skills are addressed, methodological approaches and limitations, as

Computational Thinking Without Writing Code: What’s Next for Computational Modeling?

Publications

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) introduces exciting new possibilities and challenges to the established field of computational modeling education. The ten posters in this symposium provide different perspectives on the changing landscape and present examples of educational programs, professional development strategies, pedagogical approaches, and digital tools that have helped learners and educators develop the skills needed to interrogate and cocreate scientific computational models with AI. The posters address each stage of computational modeling education, including reading and

Pulse Oximeters as a Concrete Anchor for Illuminating Bias in Healthcare AI

Publications

As healthcare systems increasingly adopt artificial intelligence (AI), engineering students need greater awareness of how measurement bias can influence medical care, downstream AI models, and clinical decisions. This short paper describes a hands-on pulse oximetry experiment that is part of a semester-long, high school course on data science and AI in healthcare that was implemented across 10 high schools ( approximately 400 students) in one northeastern U.S. state. Pulse oximeters estimate blood oxygen saturation using red and infrared light and are widely used despite documented accuracy

Healthcare Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning: Exploring Context-Based Learning for High School Students

Publications

This paper reports perspectives of high school students and their teachers on how context-based learning can support students with varied educational and vocational aspirations to engage with and learn about emerging fields. Specifically, through analyses of qualitative data from student and teacher interviews, this study explores how a healthcare context-based curriculum featuring in-class activities and an out-of-class datathon can introduce students to core concepts, practices, and the role of fields like data science, AI, and ML. Suggested citation: A.D. Bopardikar, M. Cassidy, A. Gardiner

Puffins!: Scientific Sensemaking and Improving Middle School Students' Data Attitudes

Publications

The study of Atlantic puffins among Maine middle-school science students provides a fascinating subject for integrating ecology, ornithology, and data practices. Atlantic puffins have made a remarkable comeback in Maine over the last 50 years under the leadership of ornithologist Stephen Kress and the National Audubon Society's Seabird Institute (Kress & Jackson, 2020). Studying the extent to which this seabird population has changed, and the reasons for these changes, is the focus of the Puffins curriculum project (Tumblehome, n.d.; NSF DRL-2241777). The curriculum combines a place-based

Decolonizing the digital divide: Problem based spatial design though immersive technology for STEM education in minority populations

Publications

This work-in-progress paper reports preliminary findings from surveys, participant observation, and co-design discussions with educators and elders of a Native American community about how to modify STEM learning activities for their unique tribal culture in afterschool settings using immersive technology and spatial design.

Delivering Hands-On Experiences with STEM Technologies in Virtual Learning Environments: Professional Development for a Diverse Network of School Educators

Publications

Diversifying the STEM pipeline requires reforming school educator practices to adjust how STEM messaging and learning experiences influence diverse young people’s interests and trajectory into STEM long-term. Catalyzing Inclusive STEM Experiences All Year Round (CISTEME365) is an NSF multi-pronged project designed to offer professional development and networked community for school educators to improve their knowledge and implementation of STEM experiences for their students. We worked with school educators to create and implement informal hands-on activities with STEM technologies for

Your Phone as a Sensor: Making IoT Accessible for Novice Programmers

Publications

Distributed computing, computer networking, and the Internet of Things are all around us, yet only computer science and engineering majors learn the technologies that enable our modern lives. This paper introduces PhoneIoT, a mobile app that makes it possible to teach some of the basic concepts of distributed computation and networked sensing to novices. PhoneIoT turns mobile phones and tablets into IoT devices and makes it possible to create highly engaging projects through NetsBlox, an open-source block-based programming environment focused on teaching distributed computing at the high

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